Perth County and City of Stratford Secure Additional Funding to Bolster PC Connect Initiative

[PERTH COUNTY, ON] – The County of Perth and the City of Stratford have been informed by the Ministry of Transportation that further funding will be allocated through the Community Transportation Grant Program to support the continued operations of PC Connect. This allocation amounts to an additional $159,406 for Perth County and $590,000 for the City of Stratford. The newfound financial support is earmarked to sustain ongoing operations and alleviate the fiscal strain on forthcoming municipal budgets.

“Our government is providing an additional $749,000 to Perth County and the City of Stratford to support our rural transportation network,” said Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington. “Whether it is travelling for medical appointments, shopping, or visiting family and friends, it is important that residents of Perth-Wellington have transit options. I will continue to advocate for provincial investments in our rural communities.”

Perth County Warden Rhonda Ehgoetz articulated, “We graciously welcome this additional funding for PC Connect, which underscores the crucial role of public transportation in our rural community, ensuring accessibility and connectivity for all residents.”

City of Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma expressed, “I am so pleased to hear about and to receive these additional funding dollars for both the City of Stratford and the County of Perth. These funds continue to support and improve the Inter-Community Transportation between our local communities for work, medical services, education, tourism and social activities. As Mayor, I continue to value these strong partnerships with MPP Rae and our provincial government.”

The PC Connect public transit initiative is a collaborative effort involving Perth County, Stratford, St. Marys, and North Perth, made feasible through the support of the Government of Ontario. Supported by the Provincial Community Transportation Grant Program until March 31, 2025, this infusion of funds reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing transportation infrastructure across all regions. PC Connect stands as a dependable, accessible, and cost-effective bus service facilitating connectivity throughout rural Perth County, Stratford, St. Marys, Kitchener/Waterloo, and London. To date, PC Connect has provided over 34,000 rides, enabling residents to access employment opportunities and social services, attend appointments, foster social connections, and uphold an independent and active lifestyle. For further details on PC Connect, please visit www.perthcounty.ca/pcconnect.