The Government of Ontario is investing $9,633,396 into public transit in the Region of Durham as part of its ongoing Gas Tax program.
The funding is intended to support a range of improvements, including expanding service hours, increasing route coverage, purchasing new vehicles, and improving accessibility to boost ridership.
Durham is one of 106 municipalities across Ontario sharing in over $380 million in total Gas Tax funding for 2024–25. The initiative aims to enhance local transit networks and support infrastructure upgrades province-wide.
The announcement was welcomed by local and provincial representatives, who highlighted the importance of consistent and reliable transit access for residents across Durham.
“This funding is great news for people in the Municipality of Durham,” said Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham Riding.
Whitby MPP Lorne Coe noted that the investment will help extend service hours, expand routes, and improve accessibility throughout Durham. “This means greater access to reliable and convenient transit, making it easier to connect with jobs, schools, and essential services,” said Coe.
Pickering-Uxbridge MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy emphasized the local impact of the funding. “This investment will enhance public transit in Durham Region by improving service, expanding routes, and increasing accessibility. It reflects our commitment to strengthening local infrastructure.”
Durham Region’s Regional Chair and CEO John Henry also expressed appreciation for the province’s continued support. “Gas Tax funding is more important than ever for Durham Region Transit,” Henry said. “As many of our residents continue to rely on public transit to access essential services and get to work, this support helps to ensure we can maintain safe, reliable, and accessible transportation.”
Bill Holmes, General Manager of Durham Region Transit, added that the funding helps the region meet both current and future transit needs. “This predictable funding used for operational and capital expenditures enables us to continue to make necessary transit investments and to deliver a growing network to meet the increasing demand for transit across the Region of Durham.”
While Gas Tax allocations for 2024–25 remain consistent with the previous year, the Province also continues to support transit through the Connecting Links program and the Ontario Transit Investment Fund.
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