St. Catharines city council supports single regional transit system

St. Catharines city council voted in favour of pursuing a single transit system for the Niagara region.

Councillors voted on Wednesday night to support the initiative that would see one system serve all 12 of the municipalities in the region.

“It’s an economic opportunity for us to tie together Niagara,” St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik said. 

“A regional transit system gets people out of their cars and making decisions that are better for them from an economic point of view and environmental point of view.”

The vote by St. Catharines council follows a November vote by Niagara region council to begin consolidation efforts.

To move forward with the proposed plan, a majority of Niagara’s municipal councils must jump on board with the idea.

Councillors in Fort Erie and Niagara Falls voted in favour of the consolidated transit system at meetings on Monday and Tuesday.

Officials in Welland are expected to make a decision on Thursday.

Grimsby and Port Colborne councils will vote next week. 

Niagara-on-the-Lake and Thorold will make up their minds the week of Dec. 19.