WINDSOR — The Ontario government is investing over $4.5 million to support public transit for the City of Windsor and Town of Tecumseh through the 2024-25 Gas Tax program. This funding can be used to expand service hours, increase routes, purchase new vehicles and improve accessibility to increase transit ridership.
“This funding is great news for people in Windsor and Tecumseh,” said Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor–Tecumseh. “The importance of having a reliable and affordable public transit system can’t be overlooked. Under the leadership of Premier Ford and Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria, our government is giving people more ways to connect with their community and the people that matter most to them.”
The Ontario government is investing over $380 million in 106 municipalities across Ontario to improve local transit through the Gas Tax program.
“Connectivity and mobility are cornerstones of our community’s growth and prosperity,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “As Windsor evolves from a ‘big small city’ into a ‘small big city,’ investing in public transit today is essential to building the vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community we envision for tomorrow. Our 2025 City Budget reflects this commitment, allocating $182 million over the next decade toward improving local transportation infrastructure and services. With support from the provincial Gas Tax program, we are enhancing the reliability, accessibility, and efficiency of transit across our city together, as we connect more people to more opportunities. On behalf of the City of Windsor, I thank Premier Ford, Minister Sarkaria, MPP Dowie, and the Government of Ontario for their steadfast partnership and ongoing commitment to Building Windsor’s Future.”
“Strong public transit is essential to support citizen access to local goods and services, education and employment,” said Mayor Gary McNamara of Tecumseh. “Through Provincial Gas Tax funding, we support accessibility, improve connectivity and ensure our community remains vibrant and mobile!”
The breakdown of funding for Windsor and Essex County is as follows:
- City of Windsor – $4,462,356
- Town of Tecumseh – $176,470
“No matter where you live, workers and families deserve access to fast, reliable and affordable public transit that connects them to good jobs and housing,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Our government will continue to work with municipalities in every corner of our province to improve their transit systems so they can provide the services Ontarians depend on for decades to come.”
For 2024-25, municipal Gas Tax allocations have been maintained at 2023-24 levels. In addition to the Gas Tax program, the government supports municipal transportation projects through the Connecting Links program and the Ontario Transit Investment Fund.
QUICK FACTS
- The 2024-25 Gas Tax program supports public transit systems in 106 municipalities, representing 93 per cent of all Ontarians.
- The Gas Tax program provides $0.02 per litre of gasoline sold in Ontario to support municipal transit systems.
- Municipalities may use Gas Tax funding for transit operating and capital costs.