TRANSIT PARTNERS CELEBRATE NEW FACILITY IN VERNON

VERNON, BC, Nov. 10 /CNW/ - Government and community leaders gathered today to announce the upcoming start of construction of the new transit facility for Vernon. The new facility is possible thanks to contributions from the federal, provincial and municipal governments committed to boosting transit services in B.C.'s communities.

Making the announcement at the site of the new operations and maintenance facility were Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap; Eric Foster, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Vernon-Monashee; Mayor Wayne Lippert, City of Vernon; Mayor Jim Garlick, District of Coldstream; and Mike Davis, BC Transit vice-president and chief operating officer.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to invest in this new transit facility," said MP Mayes. "These improvements benefit the City of Vernon with much-needed public transit infrastructure and will allow Vernon to provide more effective service to commuters."

The new Vernon transit maintenance facility will include an administration and maintenance building, wash bay, covered diesel fuelling station, outdoor covered storage area and parking.

"This facility represents new opportunities for transit to grow and provide more service to passengers in Vernon," said MLA Foster. "B.C. leads the country for provincial contributions to local bus service because we firmly believe that investments in public transit help create healthier, more livable communities."

Construction of the new Vernon maintenance facility will begin in mid-November, with completion scheduled for early January 2012. It's located at the intersection of 43rd Street and 25th Avenue and is expected to house the Vernon Regional Transit System for at least 25 years.

"We are pleased with the commitment to public transit in our community," said Mayor Lippert. "Public transit was identified by the community as a top priority for infrastructure investment, and this new facility helps to support the goals of the city's Transportation Plan and Official Community Plan."

"Coldstream is working with our regional partners and BC Transit on this project to try and make bussing work in our community where it makes sense," said Mayor Garlick.

"In order for Vernon's Transit System to grow, it's important that we have the infrastructure to support it," said Mr. Davis. "This facility will meet the expanded needs of today and address the demands of the future."

This year, there will be more than 500,000 trips on the local transit system.

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For further information:

Contacts:	Jeff Knight B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure 250-356-7707	Joanna Linsangan BC Transit 250-995-5720
	John Babcock Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Ottawa 613-991-0700	Media Relations Transport Canada, Ottawa 613-993-0055