From left to right: Elgin-Middlesex MPP Jeff Yurek, London Mayor Ed Holder, Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney, Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Sarnia-Lambton MPP Robert Bailey. Photo by: Ruby Sweeney X FM News
The provincial government says they are developing a plan to connect people to places across southwestern Ontario.
The plan titled Connecting the Southwest contains advancements to improve highways, bus services, and existing rail corridors. The province plans to work with municipalities and Indigenous communities to provide people with a “seamless” travel experience.
During the announcement on Friday, Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney was joined by Mayor Ed Holder, Environment, Parks and Conservation Minister Jeff Yurek, and area colleagues.
Mulroney says the conservative government plans to provide accessibility to the smaller regions of southwestern Ontario and to not have them be solely connected to the GTA.
“People want to be able to travel more efficiently within their own region.”
Yurek says the plan will help connect communities.
“People in southwestern Ontario deserve better transportation that gives them access to jobs, their family and friends, and the regions many tourist destinations.”
In the draft plane the Tories explained that they will work closely with VIA Rail to potentially offer service jointly with GO Transit.
The Community Transportation Grant Program announced they would fund $14.8 million for 12 municipalities and the Canada Infrastructure Program will invest $103 million for transit projects in London alone.
Mulroney says the project will be community focused and says the province is looking for feedback and those interested in having a say can fill out a survey on the province’s website
