Ontario investing millions to help smaller and rural communities access transit

By Lee Griffi

The Ontario government is investing nearly $16 million through the Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF) to help small and remote communities build safe and reliable transit services.

The OTIF supports the start-up and expansion of transit projects like new bus services, on-demand rideshare services and door-to-door transportation. This year’s funding will support new and expanded transit services across the province, including $3.4 million for the Region of Waterloo to introduce or expand transit services in Woolwich, Wellesley, Wilmot and North Dumfries.

Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen said the money will eventually allow Grand River Transit to trial pilot programs in the township.

“A huge issue in investing in rural transit right now is the cost and we don’t have the same type of ridership. The government is realizing that having rural services can be very beneficial,” Salonen said.

She added the program will provide five years of declining funding with the intent of getting a program off the ground to build ridership so it can become sustainable.   

“There are multiple components to it because there are different services across the four townships, but one thing residents have been asking for Wilmot, and in particular, businesses, is more evening and weekend service on Route 77. With this funding, that will be coming to fruition.”

The route runs from Mackay’s No Frills in New Hamburg to the Boardwalk Station in Kitchener with stops including Peel/Bleams, Waterloo Street, Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School, Snyder’s/Foundry, Snyder’s/Coachmen’s, Snyder’s/Forler, 560 Snyder’s Rd. E., Snyder’s/Notre Dame, Highland/Trussler and Ira Needles/Highland.

Salonen said she’s particularly excited about an on-demand transit option.

“I am not 100 per cent certain on the details, but it was in the region’s proposal to implement it in the township. Say someone from New Dundee would be able to call the service and be able to be taken wherever they want to go. This will be great for our local businesses by being able to get employees to and from work.”

There currently is no timeline as to when new services will be implemented.

"The support from the Ontario Transit Investment Fund will help us deliver new and improved transit connections for residents living in and travelling to Waterloo Region’s townships,” said Waterloo Region Chair Karen Redman.

“By supporting new and expanded Grand River Transit service, the province is helping us improve access to jobs, services and community destinations while building a more connected and sustainable region. We are grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to move our Township Transit Strategy forward.”

Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris said the investment means residents in Woolwich, Wellesley, Wilmot and North Dumfries will have better access to jobs, schools and services in the larger municipalities.

“By closing the transit gap between our rural townships and urban centres, we’re making it easier for people to stay connected to their community while opening up new opportunities close to home."

“Through OTIF, our government is providing communities across the province with stable, predictable funding for transit services that will transform how people travel for years to come,” said Ric Bresee, parliamentary assistant to the minister of transportation. “We’re demonstrating our commitment to supporting communities and non-profit organizations across Ontario as they deliver reliable transit services.”

Municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profit organizations can apply for OTIF funding online. Ontario also provides funding to municipalities for transit and municipal roads through the Gas Tax program and the Connecting Links program.