Governments of Canada and Ontario invest in public transit in Hamilton

HAMILTON, ON, Dec. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - Investing in public infrastructure supports efficient, affordable and sustainable transit services that help Canadians and their families get to work, school and essential services on time and back home safely at the end of a long day. The governments of Canada and Ontario are making investments that will help create well-paying jobs and grow the middle class now while building a strong foundation for a sustainable economic future.

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Ted McMeekin, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ancaster?Dundas?Flamborough?Westdale, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Del Duca, Ontario Minister of Transportation, and His Worship Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of the City of Hamilton, today announced $400,000 in funding for a new transit project through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund that will benefit the residents of Hamilton. The Government of Canada and the City of Hamilton are each providing up to $200,000 for this project.

The City of Hamilton will use the funding to purchase eight transit operations vehicles for the City's growing transit system. The new vehicles, which include service, supervisor and driver shuttle vehicles as well as accessibility vans, will support the daily transit operations as well as increase the efficiency and reliability of the transit system for riders. This project will support the growth of Hamilton's public transit system while also improving the experience of transit riders.

This investment is part of an agreement between Canada and Ontario for the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada recognizes how important affordable and efficient transit infrastructure is to growing the middle class and getting Canadians to where they need to go. This project will make Hamilton a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable city, and contribute to ensuring that our communities remain among the best places in the world to live, work and raise a family."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Transit connects our entire community, helping people to get around?whether for work, study, or to enjoy everything Hamilton has to offer. This funding will help to improve safety and reliability as our transit service continues to grow."

Ted McMeekin, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ancaster?Dundas?Flamborough?Westdale, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Del Duca, Ontario Minister of Transportation

"Improving our transit system continues to be a key priority for the City of Hamilton. I want to thank our Federal and Provincial partners for their investments in our city."

His Worship Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of the City of Hamilton

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada will invest 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.
• $25.3 billion of this funding will support public transit projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• Since 2004, the Government of Ontario has committed more than $3.7 billion to municipalities across the province through the provincial gas tax program. This funding supports municipal transit systems.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/on-eng.html

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

Building Ontario - Infrastructure Plan: https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-ontario

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada