Canada and Ontario invest in modern public transit infrastructure in Quinte West

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Two projects announced this week will modernize Quinte West’s transit system and create a more sustainable community.

They include a feasibility study to inform route and broader transit planning, followed by the purchase of four new conventional buses, one para-transit vehicle, and up to six on-board bike racks and four new bus shelters. These investments in Quinte West’s transit system will increase its capacity and accessibility for riders by creating an important transit link between Quinte West and Belleville.

In addition, new IT upgrades including on-board surveillance systems for 21 buses, and collision avoidance systems for six buses will improve rider safety. The installation of smart card payment technology on 17 buses will make it easier for passengers to pay their fare and allow them to access the Quinte West and Belleville transit systems using the same payment card.

“Public transit allows Canadians to get where they need to go in affordable and environmentally friendly ways. Investing in new buses, bus shelters and public transit technology will improve the quality of lives for Quinte West residents by reducing the amount of road traffic and providing a more affordable option for getting around,” said Neil Ellis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte.

“These projects will not only benefit public transit users, but will create quality jobs that will positively impact the economy for years to come.”

The Government of Canada is investing over $660,500 in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $550,400, while the City of Quinte West is contributing over $440,400.

Through the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

$28.7 billion of this funding is supporting public transit projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Ontario is investing $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community infrastructure.

A new stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories.

The COVID-19 Resilience Stream will help other orders of governments whose finances have been significantly impacted by the pandemic by increasing the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects.

“The Quinte Access West-East Corridor transit expansion will enhance capacity within Quinte West and create a vital link with services in Belleville,” said Todd Smith, Ontario’s Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “It will improve access to higher education, employment, health care, recreation and businesses across the region. Our government is pleased to invest in the buses, shelters, technological upgrades and planning necessary to drive this welcomed improvement.”

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