Ottawa's ecoMOBILITY announced last week that both Metrolinx and the Region of Peel will receive funding for environmentally friendly transportation in the area. The funding was announced by Canada's Transport Minister, John Baird.
Metrolinx, formerly known as the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority, is set to recieve up to $405,000 for projects at elementary schools in peel and Hamilton. The money will be used to help encourage children to walk to school, as well as promote "green transportation alternatives" for teachers and staff.
The Region of Peel will also receive an additional $120,000 to help put in place "green transportation marketing programs" at 6 Peel employment sites. The marketing campaigns are expected to reach 9,500 people. The campaign is hoping to discourage the use of single-vehicle travel.
The ecoMOBILITY program is designed to encourage commuters to choos public transportation, or alternatives to using cars. The program gives the following goals:
1) improving the health of Canadians and the environment by reducing the environmental impacts of transportation;
2) contributing to Canada's future prosperity and competitiveness by making critical transportation infrastructure sustainable both economically and environmentally; and
3) promoting an efficient transportation system that supports choice and the high quality of life Canadians expect.
More information, as well as other areas of the province that received funding can be found on the Transport Canada website. You can also visit the main ecoMOBILITY website.
Photo by Lisa Newton
