WELLINGTON COUNTY – Provincial funding for Wellington’s Ride Well pilot ride-sharing program is ending and now the county might have to decide the future of public transit in the area.
Wellington County Councillor Campbell Cork addressed Wellington North council at Monday night’s meeting. He said in March, Ride Well provided 775 rides to people using a similar model to Uber but heavily subsidized. The program cost $24,000 for the month but only $6,000 in fares were collected.
“This kind of public transit, particularly for our rural population is nothing but an essential service,” said Cork. “And one for me I think is well worth funding and a terrific use of taxpayer dollars.”
Cork suggested the County’s municipalities will have to consider how much funding such a program will cost, how much they are willing to pay, and how much money the province is likely to provide.
Wellington North Mayor and Wellington County Warden Andy Lennox says there is some hope. He is attending this week’s Good Roads Conference in Toronto where he spoke with the province’s transportation minister. He was told the province is setting aside $5 million to fund public transit in under-serviced areas.
“We’re not sure yet whether Wellington County is going to qualify for that and what the details are,” Lennox told Wellington North council. “But it’s at least encouraging that they are looking to move from pilot programs to permanent funding for some of these transit initiatives.”
A workshop is planned for May 16th in Fergus to discuss the Ride Well Program. It will be in the Fergus Library Community Room from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
