CORNWALL, Ontario – Local MPP Jim McDonell announced on Tuesday, March 26 that the provincial government is prepared to allocate over $6 million in funding for commuter friendly projects in Cornwall and SDG.
Len Tapp, Division Manager of Cornwall Transit, explained that this funding was anticipated through ICIP (Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program).
“It is an investment over a 10-year period,” said Tapp. “We are excited. We have been waiting for a confirmation of this and I’m happy it has finally arrived.”
Tapp said that capital projects have been geared towards this, with the federal government covering approximately 40 per cent of the funding at $7, 272, 292, provincial government with 33 per cent at $6, 002, 116 and the City of Cornwall anticipated at 27 per cent or $4, 910, 822. This amounts to a projected total of $18, 185, 735 towards commuter friendly projects in our area.
“Our economy, our communities, and our families all rely on infrastructure,” said MPP Jim McDonell in a press release. “The Public Transit stream will build and improve urban transit networks and service extensions that will transform the way that the people of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry live, move and work.”
Tapp explained that three main areas Cornwall Transit will invest into with this funding will include a Handi-Transit bus, two conventional commuter busses and a passenger counter/fair box system. The most recent conventional commuter bus Cornwall Transit purchased was valued at approximately $500,080 before taxes according to Tapp, with an expected lifespan of 18 years. Tapp said that Handi-Transit busses typically have a lifespan between seven and 10 years of operation.
“Right now, we are excited,” said Tapp about the funding. “It goes a long way in helping us.”
According to Tapp, local funding through an initial PTIF program (Public Transit Infrastructure Funding) was used to its maximum in 2017.
Under the ICIP, up to $1.62 billion in joint provincial, federal and community funding will be unlocked for critical public transit outside of the GTHA (Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area). In total, ICIP will unlock up to $30 billion as part of the 10-year bilateral agreement.
Tapp said he is going to try to tap into as much funding as possible. With the first phase of funding only announced for smaller and rural communities with a population under 100,000, Cornwall Transit is eligible to apply for grant oriented applications up until May 14.
