Canada and Ontario have partnered with the Regional Municipality of Durham to jointly invest $11.6 million in public transit upgrades.
The first project will enhance reliability and efficiency, by replacing buses in Durham Region Transit (DRT) that have reached the end of their usable lives, said a provincial statement.
It said the 10 new 40-foot diesel bus rapid transit vehicles will also include intelligent transportation and fare collection systems.
The second project will purchase fuel and fluid management software and install and integrate it in DRT’s existing system. The software will help optimize fuel use and maintenance requirements, reducing carbon emissions and extending the lifespan of transit vehicles and infrastructure.
Every month in 2025, DRT helped between 900,000 and 1.2 million transit riders reach their destinations. As Durham Region continues to grow, more residents will rely on public transit to access opportunities and essential services. Both investments are aimed at helping make public transit in Durham Region more comfortable, sustainable and reliable.
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing a combined $4,636,000 for both projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Ontario is investing $3,862,947 and Durham Region is contributing $3,091,054.
- Durham Region is receiving more than $174.2 million through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to support public transit projects across the region, including $79.2 million in funding from the Government of Ontario.
- Durham Region received over $9.6 million through the 2025-26 Ontario Gas Tax program. The Gas Tax program dedicates two cents for every litre of gasoline sold in Ontario to municipalities for public transportation. Municipalities can use Gas Tax funding for transit operating and capital expenditures.
- Ontario’s One Fare program is saving commuters up to $1,600 a year. Since launching in 2024, it has saved Ontarians over $264 million and enabled 82 million free transfers between the TTC and GO Transit, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay, Peel TransHelp and York Region Transit.
- GO Transit’s Bowmanville Extension will extend the Lakeshore East GO line 18.7 kilometres into Durham Region, accommodating 17,000 daily trips and 4.9 million boardings annually by 2041.