PROVINCE BOOSTS PUBLIC TRANSIT IN WATERLOO REGION

Ontario Government Helps Municipalities Across Ontario Renew Bus Fleets

Waterloo Region - The Ontario government will invest $2,284,380 in Waterloo Region under the 2009 Ontario Bus Replacement Program (OBRP).

Created in 2007 to improve public transit service and increase ridership and accessibility, OBRP provides long-term, sustainable transit funding that municipalities such as Waterloo Region can use to replace conventional and specialized transit buses.

Since 2003, the McGuinty government has invested $7.4 billion to support public transit across Ontario, which has contributed to:

• An increase in transit ridership of 102 million passenger trips

• A reduction of 85 million car trips, reducing traffic congestion, and allowing people and goods to move more quickly

• A reduction of 350,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions

“The McGuinty government is making record investments in public transit. We want to get more people out of single-occupant cars and onto transit. Transit investments improve the air we breathe and support our fight against climate change.” said Jim Bradley, Minister of Transportation.

“Transit riders in Waterloo Region will have improved service, including access to newer, more efficient and accessible buses. When we replace aging buses, maintenance costs are reduced, which means better transit service in the Region.” said Leeanna Pendergast, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga.

“If we are going to encourage more people to take transit and leave their cars at home, we need to make sure our transit vehicles are comfortable and efficient,” said John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre. “Investing in new buses is a direct investment in the quality and reliability of our local transit services.”

In 2009, OBRP funding is expected to help support the planned, province-wide replacement of 470 municipal transit buses.

This year, 47 municipalities across Ontario will receive OBRP funding for their planned transit bus replacements.

Annual OBRP funding is capped at $50 million.

Since 2003, the Ontario government has invested $7.4 billion in public transit – $94 million Waterloo Region.