For Immediate Release
October 13, 2006
McGUINTY GOVERNMENT DELIVERS FOR KINGSTON TRANSIT: YEAR THREE
Third Year Gas Tax Fuelled Real Transit Results for Kingston
KINGSTON — The McGuinty government is investing $1,976,223 million in [municipal transit authority] in the third year of the province’s successful gas tax program, John Gerretsen, MPP for Kingston and The Islands announced today on behalf of Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield.
“Increased ridership means Ontarians are burning less fuel, breathing cleaner air and reducing traffic congestion. Transit riders benefit from more convenient and efficient “The gas tax is paying off for Kingston because it provides long-term, stable funding, allowing Kingston Transit to plan significant transit improvements at the local level.”
Last year Kingston’s share of the gas tax funding was $1,482,290. In 2006/07 that number will increase to $1,976,223.
The McGuinty government’s gas tax funding program has increased ridership by 23 million passenger trips and expanded and improved transit services in Kingston and municipalities across Ontario. This is the equivalent of removing 19 million car trips from our roads.
In 2006/07 the Ontario government is investing more than $313 million in 86 transit systems serving 104 communities across the province. Funding from the gas tax program is in addition to the government’s other commitments to strengthen Ontario’s public transit. By 2010, the government will have invested more than $1.6 billion in gas tax funding in public transit.
“We are delivering on our commitment to pump a share of the provincial gas tax into public transit, in Kingston,” Cansfield said. “This year we have increased funding from one-and-a-half to two cents for every litre of gasoline sold in Ontario.”
Through significant infrastructure investments, the McGuinty government is delivering better hospitals, schools, transit systems, borders, roads and bridges -- all necessary for future growth and prosperity.
-30-
