Northumberland Transportation Gets a Boost
Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini has announced that Northumberland will receive $979,946 in support from the provincial government through the Community Transportation Grant Program and the Gas Tax Program to enhance transportation options throughout the county.
Piccini made the announcement Thursday in Campbellford at a meeting of the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce.
The funding breaks down to $497,200 for the county through Ontario’s Community Transportation Grant Program and gas-tax funding for five municipalities – $203,915 for the Town of Cobourg, $164,955 for the Municipality of Port Hope, $77,577 for the municipality of Trent Hills, and $36,299 for the townships of Cramahe, Hamilton and Alnwick-Haldimand.
“This investment will improve the quality of life for many people in our communities that are currently undeserved by transit,” Piccini said.
“Whether it’s seniors, students or others, access to transit helps people get where they need to be to live active, independent lives.”
Gas-tax funding is determined by how many litres are sold in the province. The program passes along two cents per litre in revenues earmarked for programming that will support municipal transit services.
This year, $364-million in gas-tax funding will go to 107 municipalities to provide public-transit service to 144 communities.
The Community Transportation Grant Program is supporting 45 projects in 40 communities with $30-million over five years in support of local transit and inter-community bus service in areas with little or no public transit.
Northumberland Warden John Logel cited the Community Care Northumberland Rural Transportation Service as a commendable program that offers dependable transit options for people in rural communities in an affordable and co-ordinated service.
“In so doing, it reinforces linkages between our municipalities, strengthening the economic, public-health and social fabric of Northumberland County,” Logel said.
“We thank the province for investing in the on-going sustainability of this important community service.”
Community Care Northumberland executive director Trish Baird said this service (called Connecting Northumberland) has provided 1,611 county residents with transportation to health care, work, school, appointments, shopping and social outings.
“Community Care Northumberland has worked closely with local municipalities and Northumberland County for many years delivering community transportation,” Baird said in the press release.
“This funding will support the current capacity and provide additional opportunities for residents to access transportation, especially in rural areas.”
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