January 10, 2006

Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade Minister Scott Smith today announced $21.3 million, provided through the province’s Building Manitoba Fund, for public transit systems in Winnipeg, Brandon, Flin Flon and Thompson and handi-van services in 62 rural communities.

"Public transportation is an important service in our cities and rural areas," said Smith. "And the support for handi-transit will assist communities in providing services to help mobility-disadvantaged people to achieve greater self-sufficiency and independence."

Through the Building Manitoba Fund, the province is sharing a larger portion of income tax, and previously flat transit and road grants are converted to a share of provincial fuel taxes (two cents for gasoline and one cent for diesel), resulting in an overall increase for transit and roads.

Transit operating grants are available to municipalities operating a public transit system. In 2005-06, the City of Winnipeg will receive $19.4 million; Brandon, $780,800; Flin Flon, $56,500; and Thompson, $145,300; reflecting an increase of 15 per cent in provincial funding for transit services over 2004.

Handi-transit systems are vital in removing barriers to the independence that is so important to all Manitobans, said Smith. In 2005-06, funding of $903,100 will be provided in two instalments to communities establishing and operating a handi-van service.

The Mobility Disadvantaged Transportation Program provides a one-time startup grant of $6,000 to establish a handi-van service and a one-time capital grant of 50 per cent of the handi-van net cost up to $10,000 for the purchase of a vehicle. The province provides annual operating grants for handi-van services based on a cost-shared formula to a maximum of $20,000 for communities operating one vehicle or $30,000 for communities operating more than one vehicle.

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