Canada and Quebec support improved public transit service in Longueuil

BROSSARD, QC, Nov. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize that investing in public transit infrastructure is crucial to economic growth, reducing air pollution, and creating inclusive communities where everyone has access to public services and job opportunities.

Alexandra Mendès, Member of Parliament for Brossard?Saint-Lambert, and Lucie Charlebois, Quebec's Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living and Minister Responsible for the Montérégie Region, today announced an investment of more than $63 million for 22 new projects by the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund. The Government of Canada will provide over $35 million for these projects, and the Government of Quebec will contribute over $28 million. The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain will provide the remaining funding.

The projects made possible through this contribution include the purchase of 38 hybrid buses, which will be used to replace buses that are at the end of their useful life. Dedicated bus lanes and priority measures for buses at traffic lights are also planned. The financial contribution will also fund display panels and voice announcements in buses to alert riders of upcoming stop information.

Once completed, these projects will improve the performance, efficiency and reliability of Longueuil's transit system, make it more inclusive, and meet the community's immediate needs while preparing for anticipated future increases in ridership.  

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is investing in projects that help build sustainable communities while promoting economic development and the growth of the middle class. I am very pleased that these investments will help the RTL improve travel times through dedicated bus lanes, reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the purchase of hybrid buses, and enhance riders' overall experience with information systems. These projects will prepare Brossard?Saint-Lambert, as well as the entire region of Montérégie, for future growth."

Alexandra Mendès, MP for Brossard?Saint-Lambert, on behalf the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The Government of Quebec's investment, as well as those of the Government of Canada and the municipalities, will greatly improve transit fluidity and the user experience. These many projects will benefit the citizens of Longueuil and will contribute to the city's economic growth while improving air quality and residents' quality of life."

Lucie Charlebois, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living and Minister Responsible for the Montérégie Region, on behalf André Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification

"We are delighted with the importance placed on public transit by the governments of Canada and Quebec. This new investment will result in better service for Agglomération de Longueuil residents. Innovative projects under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF), including the purchase of four electric buses, will also help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions."

Sylvie Parent, Mayor of Longueuil

Quick Facts

• These 22 projects are in addition to the 34 previously announced for the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) under the PTIF program. The announcement on July 6, 2017, highlighted an investment of more than $62.4 million by the governments of Canada and Quebec.
• The governments of Canada and Quebec are today announcing funding totaling of more than $90.9 million for 33 projects that will benefit public transit users on Montréal South Shore. In addition to the 22 projects mentioned in this press release, 11 projects by the Réseau de transport métropolitain will be able to go ahead. The federal government will invest up to $50,530,098 in these 33 projects through the PTIF program, and the province will provide $40,424,078 in funding.
• The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• To support public transit, Budget 2017 is allocating $25.3 billion. This amount includes $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank. 
• Over the next ten years, the Government of Quebec plans to invest more than $91.1 billion from the province's infrastructure plan in health, education and transportation, in order to improve families' quality of life and create conditions that support innovation and economic growth.

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Backgrounder

Canada and Québec support better public transit services in Longueuil
Investment of more than $63 million

Public Transit Infrastructure Fund

The governments of Canada and Quebec are investing $63,079,470 in 22 projects being undertaken by the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) to improve commutes, cut air pollution, strengthen communities and grow regional economy.

The Government of Canada is contributing $35,044,150, representing 50 % of the total eligible costs, and the province is providing $28,035,320, which represents 40 % of the total eligible costs. The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) will provide the remaining funding.

List of new projects

Associated Links

For more details on the announcement on July 6, 2017 in connection with RTL projects: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2017/07/canada_and_quebecsupportimprovedtransitserviceinlongueuil.html

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's $180 billion infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Federal investments in infrastructure projects in Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html

Public Transit Infrastructure Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/ptif-fitc-eng.php

Quebec Infrastructure Plan: https://www.tresor.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/PDF/budget_depenses/17-18/infrastructuresPubliquesQuebec.pdf

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Website: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada