The Region of Waterloo will receive nearly $23 million from the federal government for six major transit projects as part of the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund. The cash was announced at regional headquarters in Kitchener Tuesday afternoon. "It's a great day for transit in the Region of Waterloo and let's keep moving ahead," said Regional Chair Ken Seiling after noting the region will be looking for more funding. The money is part of about $1.5 billion in federal spending for public transit in Ontario. Tuesday's announcement for Ontario cities totalled about $689 million. The province will also kick in some cash toward the fund. Municipalities will be invited to apply for the rest of the funding in September. In her first major local announcement since being named Government House leader, Waterloo MP Bardish Chagger applauded her government. "It's kind of nice for the Government of Canada to recognize where it's at because the Region of Waterloo is where it's at," she said. Kitchener-Centre MPP Daiene Vernile said the province knows cities need more support. "We know that municipalities want and need us to continue to provide them with better access to better transit," she said. More than half the region's cash, about $12 million, has been allotted toward replacing 48 Grand River Transit buses. The rest of the local money goes to: • The Fairview Mall Transit Terminal, $2 million • University of Waterloo Transit Plaza, $2.5 million • Northfield Drive Transit Facility, $775,000 • iXpress station development, $3.5 million • Block Line station development, $2 million Regional staff will review how the savings impact the region's operating and capital budgets. Finance chair Sean Strickland said in an interview there should be some savings in the operating budget because not as much debt will be needed for the projects. "It's good news … it'll take some pressure off our budgets in terms of borrowing costs," he said. The region will be responsible for matching the funds. pdesmond@therecord.com , Twitter: @DesmondRecord