Letter from Dalton McGuinty on transit in Ottawa

I received a letter from Ottawa South MPP and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty late last week, in which McGuinty discussed this portal, and took the time to outline some of the recent provincial funding projects for public transit. I present the letter, a TransitOttawa exclusive, in its entirety below; please feel free to discuss it in the 'Comments' section:

Dear Mr. Raaymakers:

Congratulations on the online success of the Public Transit in Ottawa Portal. I appreciate you taking the time to make me aware of this educational and interactive website. I am sure Ottawa residents will benefit from the updated informationyou provide on your site.

Having lived in Ottawa for most of my life, I have seen Ottawa Transit evolve over the years and am pleased when I hear about Ottawa residents like yourself who are dedicated to its success.

Our government is constantly endeavouring to improve the quality of Ontario's transportation systems and roadways. Since October 2003, our government has committed $452.6 milliontoward transit for the City of Ottawa of which $200 million has been allocated to fund a new rapid transit system, a vital project for the citizens of Ottawa. In December 2005, we also provided a one-time grant of $10 million towards the city's transitway project.

You may know that we finalized an agreement with the city to provide up to $19.7 million in transit expansion funding through the Ontario Transit Technology and Infrastructure Program in March, 2006. This funding commitment supports bus fleet expansion, construction of new station and park-and-ride lots, as well as implementing various technology projects.

Mr. Raaymakers, thanks again for writing to me. I can assure you that my colleagues and I remain committed to enhancing Ottawa's transportation systems and welcome your comments and suggestions. Please accept my best wishes.

Yours truly,
Dalton McGuinty,MPP
Ottawa South
Premier

McGuinty mentions a few different funding projects that Ontario has given the City of Ottawa to improve our public transit infrastructure. If we are to modernize the system and move forward with the most recent transit plans, we will certainly need more cooperation from McGuinty and other members of provincial parliament.