Adam Bramburger
Beaver Staff
Deseronto will receive a sizeable cash reward over the next decade because it dared to dream big about its transit system over the past decade.
On Friday, Hastings-Lennox and Addington MP Mike Bossio announced the town will receive $281,000 in guaranteed stable funding over that period, thanks to an $11.8-billion agreement between the federal and provincial government as part of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. Broken down, $154,191.41 will come from the federal government and $127,208 from the provincial government.
“It’s a long-term stable funding. Every year they’ll know they have this pot of money… It is one hundred per cent determined by ridership and that’s why Deseronto has benefitted so much,” Bossio said. “I’m hoping Deseronto is going to shine a guiding light for other communities.”
As MPs across the province made announcements that day, Bossio also noted that three other communities in his riding would benefit. Loyalist Township received $1.64 million, Bancroft received $154,000, and Marmora and Lake $75,000. He pointed to the Marmora and Lake system and indicated it includes communities like Stirling, Madoc, and Tweed, but they only run one bus route per day.
At Deseronto Transit, co-ordinator Susan Stolarchuk has been aggressive in expanding to take people to Belleville, Prince Edward County, Napanee, and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. There are more routes involved and more people receiving access to a needed service.
“You’ve got a lot bigger communities right now that don’t necessarily see the value. Deseronto did and now they’re seeing the benefit,” he said.
Bossio said sometimes on Parliament Hill, he has to remind other MPs looking at infrastructure projects — and transit, in particular — that rural communities can and do benefit from the service.
“They’re so surprised up in Ottawa when we’re talking about public transit and I say ‘Oh yeah, we have that,’ and they say ‘ What do you mean you have that?’ he recalled.
He indicated people use transit systems to get around and to travel for work, education, medical appointments, and for shopping.
“It’s vitally important for rural sustainability that we have this connectivity,” Bossio said. “What ties all of this together is how we can benefit our society, our economy, and the environment. This announcement brigs all three together so we’re providing a positive difference in the lives of Canadians.”
Deseronto Mayor Norm Clark said few people could envision in 2003 the success Deseronto Transit would become and it was a bit of an unsettling venture as the town was completely responsible for its finances. Now, it serves five communities and is in a good position.
“People can go pretty well all over this area and can use the transit system to get there,” he said. “We have probably one of the best transit systems in the area and it’s always improving. This council is always willing to listen to Susan, who comes to us with various proposals. That’s our sole job in Deseronto, not for our own gratification but for the people in this community to make life easier for them.”
Clark said he is grateful for the support from all levels of government to keep the transit system going. He also added he thinks Stolarchuk has a goal to one day bring people to Kingston.
According to Stolarchuk, Deseronto Transit will receive delivery of a new bus March 28 thanks to a previous infrastructure commitment from the federal government. Her plans for the new stream of funding are “expansion and improvement.” Among the investments targeted over the life of the funding influx are the replacement of vans, the implementation of new booking software, and investment in studies to optimize routes and schedules.
Loyalist supports a bus route from Amherstview into Kingston. In a press release distributed by Bossio’s office, Mayor Bill Lowry expressed his appreciation for the funding.
“With the knowledge of this continued dedicated provincial and federal funding available for public transit, Loyalist Township has been able to enhance its public transit options, providing an efficient transit linkage to the broader community without a major impact on the tax base and user fees.”