Construction progressing on new GO Transit bus storage and maintenance facility in Hamilton

HAMILTON, ON, Oct. 31, 2014 /CNW/ - David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale; Ted McMeekin, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale; and Mary Proc, Vice-President of Customer Service for GO Transit, a division of Metrolinx, today visited the construction site of the new GO Transit bus storage and maintenance facility in Hamilton.

The new facility will make it easier for GO Transit to provide timely, reliable and efficient service in the area and is strategically positioned to provide good access to the highway network on which GO Transit bus service operates. It will include indoor bus storage for up to 40 buses; indoor service bays for fuelling, bus wash, inspection, cleaning and repairs; building service support areas including equipment and storage rooms; and staff facilities and parking.

The facility aims to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification through the use of energy efficient systems, such as recycling water from the bus wash, energy efficient heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) and LED lighting systems, and a white roof, which reflects the sun and saves energy. It will also feature an on-site fuelling station that will result in less travelling for buses not in service, saving money, time and reducing gas emissions.

Quick Facts

• The total cost of the project is $24 million.
• The Governments of Canada and Ontario will each contribute up to $9.75 million, through the GO Transit Improvement Program, a $500-million joint investment announced by the federal and provincial governments to support the expansion of GO Transit bus and rail services in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, the Niagara Region and the Waterloo Region. The Government of Ontario through Metrolinx will contribute the remaining amount.
• Completion of the facility is expected in early 2016.

Quotes

"Our government is pleased to invest in this important project that supports efficient, environmentally sustainable transportation. This investment demonstrates our commitment to working toward improved public transit infrastructure in the GTHA and across the country."
David Sweet
Member of Parliament for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale

"The new Hamilton GO Transit bus facility is in line with the government's long-term transit and infrastructure plan, Moving Ontario Forward. The Ontario government's investments are making public transit a better choice. This is proof of our government's commitment to making the daily commute and quality of life better for Ontario families."
Ted McMeekin
Member of Provincial Parliament for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale

"This new facility will help us provide the reliable and timely service our customers depend on, and it will also help us run a more efficient and environmentally friendly operation."
Mary Proc
Vice-President of Customer Service, GO Transit

Associated Links

Find out more about the opportunities in the Economic Action Plan 2014 at http://www.budget.gc.ca/2014/home-accueil-eng.html.

For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit www.ontario.ca/buildingtoday.

For more information on Metrolinx, The Big Move or GO Transit, visit www.metrolinx.com.

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

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SOURCE: Transport Canada

Vincent Rabault, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Ottawa, 613-943-1838; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055; Patrick Searle, Minister's Office, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Toronto, 416-327-1815; Bob Nichols, Communications, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Toronto, 416-327-1158; Malon Edwards, Media Relations, Metrolinx, 416-202-5945