NEWS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION
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Ontario's investments in public transit are helping the Town of Bracebridge to Ride the Wave, which is a new transit service connecting residents to businesses, schools and recreational facilities in the urban core of the community.
Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca was in Bracebridge today to celebrate the new transit service, which is helping local residents leave their car behind and travel around the community more conveniently.
With support from the province, Bracebridge Transit purchased an accessible, low-floor bus that began service in November 2016. The bus runs on an hourly circuit with 47 stops.
The new accessible bus will make it easier for people with wheelchairs, strollers, or other mobility devices to board the transit system. The bus is equipped with a foldout ramp and has no steps to climb, providing an accessible transit option. Bracebridge Transit is a reliable and environmentally friendly way for residents to get to schools, shopping centres, hospitals and other areas of town with affordable fares and discounted monthly passes.
Supporting public transit in small communities is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
QUOTES
"I could not be happier to celebrate the success of public transit in such a deserving community. Our government is dedicated to supporting initiatives for modern, accessible public transit for all communities, large or small. We are proud to help Bracebridge Transit in their efforts to keep Ontario moving forward." - Steven Del Duca, minister of Transportation
"I am so pleased to see the impact of our government’s commitment to investing in local public transit. This new accessible bus will benefit the people of Bracebridge for years to come as they travel around town for work, study and play." - Ann Hoggarth, MPP for Barrie
"Metrolinx’s Transit Procurement Initiative has become one of North America’s most innovative transit procurement programs. We are pleased that the program continues to support transit development in communities across Ontario while ensuring that these communities get better value for their money." - John Jensen, president and CEO, Metrolinx
QUICK FACTS
- Bracebridge Transit purchased its new accessible bus through funding from the provincial gas tax program and support from Metrolinx’s Transit Procurement Initiative.
- Bracebridge joined the Ontario Gas Tax Program in 2016–17 and received $130,541.
- The province provides gas tax funding to eligible municipalities to help them improve and expand their transit services. In January 2017, Ontario announced that the municipal share of the gas tax will double by 2021.
- Metrolinx’s Transit Procurement Initiative has worked with 40 transit agencies across Ontario since the program began in 2006. As of Mar. 31, 2017, the consolidation of municipal transit procurement has saved Ontario taxpayers an estimated $18 million in purchasing and administrative costs.
- Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in our province’s history—more than $160 billion over 12 years, which is making 110,000 jobs possible every year on average across Ontario.
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