Conservative MPPs Bill Walker and Lisa Thompson made a joint funding announcement Thursday just outside of Walkerton.
The two local politicians were at Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit to announce that they have nominated them for federal funding under the Public Transit Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
John Woodbury, the mayor of Southgate and Saugeen Mobility board member, says the announcement is encouraging.
"In the struggles financially that everyone's having right now, being nominated for this joint program is coming at a fantastic time," said Woodbury.
The money will go toward 11 new buses, totalling nearly $768,000, with the province kicking in almost $256,000. The nomination for the additional funding will now be sent to the federal government for approval.
Thompson said this type of announcement reflects what the province wants to do.
"Premier Ford and our government is demonstrating time and again, that rural Ontario not only is finally back at the table, but it matters, as well," she said.
Walker said it's positive to see nine local municipalities participating in supporting the project.
"We cover a large geographic area with a lack of transportation, so Saugeen Mobility and their SMART Transit certainly helps fill that void. I think it's great news for rural Ontario across the province, particularly Bruce-Grey and Huron-Perth in this instance," added Walker.
The nine municipalities will contribute something toward the nearly $768,000 project for the 11 new buses at Saugeen Mobility.
The province hopes to hear back from the federal government very soon on the approval of their side of the ICIP funding.