Ontario Investing in Safe, Reliable Transit Services for Middlesex County
June 20, 2025
Province protecting jobs and driving economic growth in Middlesex County
NEWS
June 20, 2025
Middlesex County— As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the government is investing nearly $15 million to help support safe, reliable transit services in rural communities, including almost $3.5 Million in the County of Middlesex. The funding is being delivered through the Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF) and will help drive economic growth and connect more people to jobs and housing.
“This investment is a big win for our region. Reliable, connected transit means better access to jobs, services, and opportunity—especially for residents in rural and small-town communities like ours,” said Steve Pinsonneault, MPP for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex.
Middlesex County, will receive $3,408,511 in OTIF funding which will support new and existing services as determined by an upcoming transit study, and ongoing service on four intercommunity transit routes:
- Route 1 from Lucan Biddulph to London
- Route 2 from Woodstock to London
- Route 3 from Dorchester to Southwold and
- Route 4 from Sarnia to London.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is ensuring all Ontarians, including those in rural communities, have access to reliable transportation to get them where they need to go, when they need to get there,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “As part of our plan to protect Ontario, we’re investing in local transit services that connect people with good-paying jobs, housing and other opportunities, while boosting our economy at a time when it matters most.”
OTIF helps municipalities, Indigenous communities and not-for-profit organizations start up or expand transit services in unserved or underserved parts of the province, particularly in rural communities. The budget for OTIF is $5 million a year starting in 2025-26. Successful applicants receive funding of up to 50 per cent of project costs for up to five years for projects that encourage integrated, coordinated and sustainable transit services.
“Whether it’s small businesses attracting customers and employees, students getting to school or families visiting loved ones, our government’s investment in regional transit is helping rural communities remain vibrant and healthy places to live, work and do business,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs.
QUICK FACTS
- OTIF funding will expand access to transit services for almost 1.5 million people.
- Connecting communities underserved by passenger transportation services is one of the actions in the province’s regional transportation plans for southwestern Ontario and eastern Ontario.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Ontario Investing in Transportation for Rural Communities | Ontario Newsroom
Planning transportation for Southwestern Ontario
Planning transportation for Eastern Ontario
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Dakota Brasier
Minister’s Office
Dakota.Brasier@ontario.ca
Tanya Blazina
Communications Branch
MTO.Media@ontario.ca