St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston is dreaming big when it comes to how to spend $4-million in federal and provincial funding earmarked for commuter-friendly projects.
Preston, whose city is currently undergoing a broad transit study, said he has been in talks with London Mayor Ed Holder about the possibility of a regional transit system.
"We are at the study point right now. I can't commit to it happening, but I sure feel like it can and will and that it will connect to our transit system here in St. Thomas. A trip into and out of London every half hour is my dream," said Preston.
The first-term mayor and former MP stressed the London-St. Thomas transit system would be ideal for people who live in one city but have school, work, or medical appointments in the other city.
St. Thomas has been allocated $2.2-million from the federal government and $1.8-million from the province for public transit improvement through the Canada Infrastructure Program.
Preston also foresees joint transit projects with Central Elgin and Southwold Township.
"We've been in conversation with our neighbours as to how can we use some of this together. We know in in St. Thomas we need to become a modern city with seven day a week transit and longer hours for transit. Some of this funding will certainly be going to that, added Preston. "But let's not put the cart before the study."
Results of the St. Thomas transit study are due back to council possibly as early as May.
Ontario Transportation Minister Jeff Yurek
Ontario Transportation Minister Jeff Yurek, who announced the opening of the shared funding earlier this week, called the idea of a regional transit system "fantastic."
"London has quite a bit of government services and commercial spaces that aren't in the other regions," said Yurek. "It also opens up the activity to bring London people into Elgin County and experience what we have to offer which is many commercial operations and tourist destinations. The better we can get people moving is great for the economy and it's good for the environment."
St. Thomas also recently received $369,992 from the province to improve local service delivery and efficiency. The unconditional one-time funding boost can be used for a wide variety of service enhancements including development of shared services agreements, IT solutions, and capital investments.
"This funding comes at a really opportune time for us to look forward to what St. Thomas will look like over the next decade and help us plan that rather than just guess what it will look like," said Preston.
Other local municipalities to receive funding include Thames Centre, Malahide Township, Southwold Township, Aylmer, West Elgin, Dutton-Dunwich, Central Elgin, Bayham, and Elgin County.
