:format(webp)/https://www.therecord.com/content/dam/localcommunities/cambridge_times/news/2022/02/08/ontario-green-party-leader-makes-stop-in-cambridge-to-reveal-affordable-regional-transit-plan/10568543_Greensphoto.JPG)
Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner, the leader of the Green party of Ontario, made a stop in Cambridge Feb. 8 to disclose his party’s plan for a regional transit system that can connect the Grand River watershed area.
Schreiner was flanked by Cambridge Green candidate Carla Johnson on the Ainslie Street bus terminal, with the crux of the plan connecting Guelph and Brantford, through Waterloo Region.
“I hear it from locals day by day, transit is a big issue on this region,” Johnson said in a news release.
“And after Greyhound shut down last May, the situation has gotten even worse.”
The pair highlighted how the region’s residents, especially students, the elderly and people with low income, relied on Greyhound to get between communities and cities. Its shutdown exposed the huge transit gaps within the region.
“This region is anticipated to be home to over a million people by 2030. Yet there’s no inexpensive and efficient solution to get between Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo and Brantford,” Johnson said.
The plan includes restoring the 50 per cent provincial cost-share for transit operations to assist municipalities fund regional transit, and reallocating the funding planned for highways, like Highway 413, toward inexpensive, accessible, electrified transit.
“Inexpensive and accessible transit is totally vital to creating our communities more livable, connected and inexpensive,” Schreiner said.
“Doug Ford thinks the answer to transportation is more highways. He’s mistaken. More highways will make life even dearer and increase climate pollution.”
There’s more information in regards to the Ontario Greens’ plan for sustainable transportation and transit at www.gpo.ca/climate/transportation.
