CUTA pleased with federal budget plan
Plan allows gas tax funds for transit, but gives no guaranteed minimum.
The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) stated that it applauds the federal government's commitment to transferring funds from a federal gas tax to transit.
The federal government released its latest budget this week with provisions that allow for the transfer of a portion of the federal gasoline tax to municipalities in a program within which urban transit is a high priority.
With the nation’s public transit capital infrastructure needs for 2004 to 2008 set at C$21 billion, CUTA officials said the new budget is a step towards meeting requirements, but remains a long way from a sustainable and long-term solution.
"Unfortunately, the gradual pace at which the gas tax is to be implemented and the lack of a guaranteed minimum for transit will make it difficult to make a significant impact until later in the five-year phase-in period," said CUTA Chair Robert Olivier.
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