Canada and Ontario invest in sustainable public transit for Brampton residents

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Ragini Joshi
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Brampton, Ontario, July 28, 2020—The safety and well-being of Canadians are top priorities of the governments of Canada and Ontario. But the COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than Canadians’ personal health, it is also having a profound impact on the economy.

That is why governments have been taking decisive action to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done.

Ontarians need help getting safely to work and home, getting out to appointments, to shop and to conduct business. Strategic investments in sustainable public transportation infrastructure play a key role.

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Kamal Khera, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development and Member of Parliament for Brampton West; the Honourable Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, and Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton South on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; Amarjot Sandhu, Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton West; and His Worship Patrick Brown, Mayor of the City of Brampton today announced funding for four projects that will improve Brampton’s transit system and create a more sustainable community.

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Projects include the purchase of 32 conventional buses to maintain service levels and replace the retiring fleet. Over the next four years, 300 hybrid and conventional buses will be refurbished, making them more reliable for riders and extending their use. On-board cameras and digital video recorders will be replaced with newer technologies on the entire bus fleet, which will increase rider and driver safety.

In addition, a new transit hub will increase the number of bus bays in the existing terminal, doubling the number of trips the hub can accommodate. The hub will allow for a possible future switch to electric buses, and will include an inside waiting area and concessions. These improvements will increase the capacity and quality of the transit system for users.

The Government of Canada is investing over $45.3 million 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 $37.8 million, while the City of Brampton is contributing over $30.2 million.

Quotes

“Public transit allows Canadians to get around in cheaper, cleaner and faster ways. The investment in new buses and a transit hub in Brampton will improve the quality of lives for residents, get cars off the road and help electrify their transit systems. Canada's infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds stronger communities.”

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“I am honoured to announce this $113 million joint-funding announcement on behalf of Ontario in my community of Brampton. This is great news for Brampton and the thousands of commuters that travel in, out, and across our vibrant city each day. Building modern, effective, and efficient transit for hardworking Brampton families has been a priority of mine and our government from day one. As our economy begins to recover, it is even more important that Bramptonians have access to transit that links them to new opportunities and a brighter tomorrow.”

The Honourable Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, and Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton South on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure

"As one of the fastest-growing transit systems in Canada, we must prioritize energy-efficient solutions for public transportation while supporting the thousands of riders that move across Brampton each day. Through increased partnership and investment in public infrastructure, we are creating real change and building a healthier and more sustainable future for our city and our residents."

His Worship Patrick Brown, Mayor of the City of Brampton

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