Grand Opening Of New Downtown Windsor Bus Terminal

    WINDSOR, ON, July 20 /CNW Telbec/ - His Worship Eddie Francis, Mayor of
Windsor, together with Mr. Patrick Brown, Member of Parliament for Barrie, on
behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Donna Cansfield, Ontario
Minister of Transportation, are pleased to announce the grand opening of the
new downtown multi-modal bus terminal. The new, fully accessible 9,250 square
foot facility not only provides improved customer amenities, but will also
better meet the public's needs well into the future.
    The terminal was made possible through partnership funding from all
levels of government. Canada's New Government contributed $2.7 million through
the federal Public Transit Capital Trust. The Government of Ontario
contributed $3.2 million in transit expansion and provincial gas tax funding
to the City of Windsor. The City of Windsor has contributed $1.6 million,
including $300,000 from the City Centre Revitalization Program, and $100,000
from the Windsor Accessibility Committee (WAC).
    "Canada's New Government is proud to be working in partnership with the
Province of Ontario and City of Windsor to address infrastructure needs in a
way that respects jurisdiction," said Mr. Brown. "This important investment
will help meet transit infrastructure needs in Windsor, while supporting our
government's commitment to provide Canadians with cleaner air, economic
opportunities, and an improved quality of life. And through our 'Building
Canada' plan, we will continue to invest in modern, world-class infrastructure
across the country."
    "The McGuinty government has made record investments in public transit,"
said Minister Cansfield. "Since 2003, we have invested $16.3 million for
transit in Windsor. These investments are enabling the City of Windsor to
expand transit infrastructure, buy more buses, and add more routes and service
hours. The new multimodal Windsor Transit Terminal will continue to improve
connections between Windsor Transit buses and inter-city buses, making transit
more efficient and coordinated for users, so they spend less time commuting."
    "Predictable, long term funding like the federal gas tax has allowed
municipalities to invest in local environmentally sustainable infrastructure
priorities," stated Association of Municipalities of Ontario President, Doug
Reycraft.
    The terminal is the first development within the City Centre West Urban
Village and sets the tone for future public and private development. The new
facility strengthens an already diverse neighbourhood with the Art Gallery of
Windsor, Chrysler Theatre and the new St. Clair Centre of the Arts adjacent to
the building.
    Neighbourhood residents have excitedly waited for the opening, often
peering in windows as the city and inter-city bus systems moved into their new
home. Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis said, "There is definitely an increase in
activity in the Urban Village with the addition of the bus terminal. Transit
buses operate 21 hours per day, 365 days a year and cover over 4 million km
annually." Mayor Francis continued, "Residents are reaping the added benefits.
Bus operators are the eyes and ears of the community, and our buses are
directly linked to police and fire dispatch. About 300 buses each weekday will
come and go from the new station, and residents can feel comfort with that
information."
    Transit Windsor began operations from the new location on June 24 to
coincide with the annual summer schedule change. Greyhound began service from
the building on June 26. The new transit terminal features 12 transit bays,
four Greyhound bays, five fully accessible ticket wickets, wide automatic
doors, in-floor heating, public seating for 80 passengers, a sound system,
Braille signage, thermal energy heating and cooling, 96 per cent UV reflecting
glass, and airport style (no doors) public washrooms.
    Funding for public transit is one component of the partnership
investments Canada's New Government is making in infrastructure. In Budget
2007, Canada's New Government announced an unprecedented $33-billion "Building
Canada" infrastructure plan to provide long-term, stable and predictable
funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada will
focus on projects of national importance for a stronger, safer and healthier
country, such as initiatives for cleaner air and water, a stronger economy
through modern infrastructure and a better quality of life for our
communities.

For further information: Natalie Sarafian, Office of the Minister of
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, (613) 991-0700; Jamie Rilett,
Office of the Ontario Minister of Transportation, (416) 327-9134; France
Isabelle-Tunks, P. Eng., Project Administrator, Engineering & Corporate
Projects, City of Windsor, (519) 255-6100 x6402; Penny Williams, General
Manager, Transit Windsor, (519) 944-4141 x242; Infrastructure Canada,
Communications, (613) 948-1148; Bob Nichols, Communications Branch, Ontario
Ministry of Transportation, (416) 327-1158