This page was exported from Caledon Citizen [ https://caledoncitizen.com ] Export date:Thu May 7 15:53:20 2026 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: Ontario Gas Tax funding rings $568K boost to Caledon Transit --------------------------------------------------- By Riley Murphy Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Caledon is receiving $568,726 dollars from the Ontario government's $380 million funding through the 2025/26 Gas Tax program to help support public transit in municipalities. Ontario's Gas Tax program provides municipalities with long-term funding to support and expand transit systems.  In a media release by MPP from Dufferin-Caledon Sylvia Jones, it was stated funding can be used to extend service hours, purchase transit vehicles, add routes, improve accessibility, and upgrade transit infrastructure. Funding is determined based on the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province during the previous fiscal year, as well as local ridership and population levels. “Our government is committed to supporting municipalities as they grow and improve local transit,” said Jones.  Jones said this funding will help Caledon “continue to provide reliable and accessible transit options for residents, connecting people to jobs, services and opportunities in their communities.” “I would like to thank MPP Sylvia Jones and the Province for their support,” said Mayor Annette Groves. “The Provincial gas tax helps us enhance our transit options, including a pilot project with electric minibuses.” At the beginning of April, Council approved a motion to enter into a Micro-Transit Pilot Agreement with Argo Transit, bringing on-demand electric minibuses to Caledon communities, increasing transit options. The mini buses are fully electric, fit 18 at a time, are PRESTO-friendly, and are wheelchair accessible. Domenica D'Amico, Commissioner of Engineering, Public Works and Transportation with the Town of Caledon, says that the $568,726 in gas tax funding received from the Province will go toward funding the Town of Caledon's overall transit program, including the ARGO on‑demand transit pilot and Brampton Transit contracted services. The pilot will service three communities in Caledon – Bolton, Mayfield West (Southfields), and Caledon East – which was originally planned to replace three existing Brampton Transit routes. During the April 28 Caledon Council meeting, Staff said the existing contractual commitments with Brampton Transit will be maintained through the end of 2026, keeping routes 81, 25, and 41 in service until then. The pilot has also transitioned to a 16-month pilot, rather than the previously discussed 15-month pilot, commencing on September 14, 2026 and running till December 31, 2027. The entire cost to the Town will be $4.61 million. Staff will report back to Council on the pilot, with a summary of the results, findings, and recommendations of the Argo Pilot project at the six- and twelve-month marks. They will also report back with a recommendation on whether to pause or extend the Brampton transit service routes. Council members also suggested running information sessions for residents, centres, and even local schools to educate them on how to use the new service. An FAQ-type memo was presented at the Town's May 5 General Committee meeting, highlighting questions on start dates, accommodations, feedback, and more about the pilot. Peel Region, which received $318,268, said they will use the funding to help offset operating costs for TransHelp, Peel's specialized door-to-door public transit service for eligible residents in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. The Region says the funding will support approximately 10,000 trips, helping address “growing demand for the service.” “Overall, TransHelp ridership is projected to reach about 920,000 trips in 2026, an increase of roughly 10% compared to 2025,” says the Region. --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2026-05-07 10:46:58 Post date GMT: 2026-05-07 14:46:58 Post modified date: 2026-05-07 10:46:59 Post modified date GMT: 2026-05-07 14:46:59 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com