$166,500 left on City buses

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces $166,500 for public transit in Sault Ste. Marie

McGuinty government helps Ontario's transit systems buy new buses

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - The McGuinty government is investing $166,500 in Sault Ste. Marie under its Ontario Bus Replacement Program (OBRP), created to improve public transit service, increase ridership and accessibility, and improve air quality, David Orazietti MPP announced today.

"Our government is committed to improving service for transit riders in Sault Ste. Marie by providing access to newer, more efficient and accessible buses," said Orazietti. "This investment will allow the City to replace aging buses and lower their maintenance costs which means better transit service for our community."

The investment was made under the provincial government's OBRP program, which provides long-term, sustainable transit funding which Sault Ste. Marie can use to replace conventional and specialized transit buses.

In 2008, Ontario is investing $50 million in 47 municipal transit systems, providing up to one third of the cost of their bus purchases.

Since 2003, the McGuinty government has invested $6.2 billion in public transit across Ontario, including significant investments in Sault Ste. Marie transit:

- Over $5.1 million to Sault Ste. Marie for public transit.

- $3.8 million in provincial gas tax funding.

- Over $700,000 in recent one time funding for capital upgrades to transit.

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