GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP CELEBRATES UNVEILING OF NEW VIVA BUS RAPID TRANSIT
VEHICLES FOR YORK REGION

MARKHAM, ON, Nov. 10 /CNW/ - New vehicles for York Region's Viva bus rapid transit (BRT) were unveiled today on a segment of newly constructed rapidway along Enterprise Drive in Markham, Ontario. Lois Brown, Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora, along with Michael Chan, Member of Provincial Parliament for Markham-Unionville, York Region chairman and CEO Bill Fisch, and Metrolinx president and CEO Bruce McCuaig participated in the event.

The existing Viva service connects Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Aurora and Newmarket, a
nd also links to neighbouring regions of Toronto, Peel and Durham. The rapidway along Enterprise Drive will be the first segment of dedicated lanes for Viva rapid transit vehicles to be completed in York Region.

"The unveiling of these new Viva BRT vehicles is another step towards improving transit services in the Greater Toronto Area," said MP Brown. "This investment will help increase the reliability and efficiency of the transit system, reduce traffic congestion and support the local economy."

"Today's announcement is an important step in building a modern rapid transit system for the region," said MPP Chan. "Through the McGuinty government's Open Ontario plan, we are investing in infrastructure and strengthening our economy. Our government is committed to helping the Region of York to increase its public transit use, reduce gridlock, improve air quality and build stronger communities."

"These projects provide lasting benefits to those who live and work in York Region," said Mr. Fisch. "Together, we are building a modern transit network that includes this new fleet of vehicles, subway extensions and an efficient operations yard, to ensure we keep pace with the planned growth and preserve the quality of life people have come to expect in York Region."

"The growth of transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area is critical to the region's success and we continue to make progress at delivering transit solutions," said Mr. McCuaig. "York Region's new Viva rapid transit is a great example of how when we partner together we make progress in transforming the way the region moves."

The 46 new BRT vehicles chosen for the Viva system are manufactured by Nova Bus in St-Eustache, Quebec, and will be delivered in phases. The final delivery will be made by 2015. These buses will be equipped with an in-vehicle Intelligent Transportation System that will be fully compatible with York Region's existing transit management system.

Using clean, hybrid diesel-electric technology, the vehicles will offer a smooth, comfortable ride as part of York Region's commitment to provide reliable, convenient service to passengers.

The total cost of these BRT vehicles is approximately $47.2 million. The Government of Canada has committed $22.1 million to their purchase, with a matching commitment from York Region of $22.1 million. The Province of Ontario has contributed the remaining $3.0 million through the Metrolinx Quick Wins initiative. 

The federal government's commitment towards the purchase of these vehicles is being funded through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) and falls under FLOW, the Government of Canada's initiative for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) that is designed to reduce congestion, cut commute times, help clear the air and help drive the economy in the GTA. 

The purchase of these BRT vehicles under the federal CSIF is part of a larger project that includes the construction of an operations, maintenance and storage facility in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and the construction of Cornell Terminal in the Town of Markham, Ontario. The total estimated cost for this CSIF project is $170 million, with the federal government committing up to $85 million.

In addition, in spring 2009 the province announced that Ontario is moving ahead with more than $9 billion for Metrolinx priority projects in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, which includes $1.4 billion for York Viva BRT on Highway 7 and Yonge Street. The vehicles being announced today will support this broader rapid transit initiative in York Region.

A backgrounder with information on federal transit investments in the GTA, provincial transit investments in York Region and York Region's vivaNext plan is attached.

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Backgrounder Information

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FEDERAL INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC TRANSIT IN THE GREATER TORONTO AREA

The Government of Canada is committed to helping provide Canadians with safe, efficient and affordable mass transportation, which contributes to a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and better communities, while addressing local and regional infrastructure needs.

The federal funding for these improvements comes from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF). Through the fund, the Government of Canada works with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, as well as with the private sector, to meet strategic infrastructure needs throughout the country. The CSIF supports large-scale strategic infrastructure projects that improve quality of life and further economic growth.

The federal government has committed up to $85 million through the CSIF to York Region towards the $170-million Viva Phase 2, Stage 1 BRT Project. The project includes:

• the purchase of 46 bus rapid transit (BRT) vehicles;
• the construction of an operations, maintenance and storage facility in Richmond Hill, Ontario; and
• the construction of Cornell Terminal in Markham, Ontario.

The government's investment in the Viva Phase 2, Stage 1 BRT Project was announced in March 2007 as part of FLOW, the Government of Canada's initiative for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) designed to reduce congestion, cut commute times, help clear the air and help drive the economy in the GTA.

The FLOW announcement also committed funding to the following projects:

• up to $95 million for the Brampton Züm project;
• up to $83 million for the Mississauga BRT project;
• up to $2.5 million to help the Region of Durham further refine its transit service strategy and BRT implementation plans; and
• up to $697 million to support the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension project.

In addition, the Government of Canada has made the following commitments to public transit projects in the Greater Toronto Area:

• Toronto Transit Commission Strategic Capital Projects — $303.5 million through the CSIF to a $1.05-billion project for improvements to subway, streetcar and bus infrastructure ($46.5 million has also been set aside for a potential FareCard project);
• Union Station Revitalization — $133 million through the Building Canada Fund to a $640-million project for improvements to the historic Union Station;
• Sheppard East Light Rail Transit — $333 million through the Building Canada Fund to a $1.0-billion project for 15 kilometres of dedicated streetcar lines along Sheppard Avenue;
• GO Transit Projects — $385 million to over $1.0 billion in commuter rail improvements under the GO Transit Rail Improvement Package (GO TRIP), and a further $250 million to GO system improvements under the $500-million GO Transit Improvement Package (GO TIP); and
• York Viva Phase 1 — $50 million to a $164-million BRT project.

THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO

The Ontario government is tackling gridlock to build a strong and prosperous economy by getting people onto public transit with record investments and innovation.

Since 2003, the Ontario government has invested more than $10.8 billion to help improve and expand transit in Ontario. The province has committed more than $592 million for transit in York Region, including:

• $67.6 million in Metrolinx Quick Win funds;
• $348 million to York Region's portion of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension project;
• $112.5 million in Gas Tax and vehicle replacement/refurbishment;
• $50 million toward the first phase of Viva;
• $6.7 million under Ontario's Transit Technology and Infrastructure Program (TTIP) to the purchase of additional buses for expanded service, software upgrades and technology improvements; and
• $7.3 million in support of environmental assessments and preliminary engineering of vivaNext.

Provincial contributions to federal FLOW projects are as follows:

• $870 million through the Move Ontario Trust to support the extension of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway from Downsview Station to the Vaughan Corporate Centre at Highway 7 in York Region, which includes the $348 million described above for York Region;
• $95 million to support the construction of a BRT system along Brampton's key east-west, north-south corridors that provides a direct link to Mississauga, York Region and Toronto; and
• $65 million to support the Mississauga BRT Project, for an 11-kilometre east-west dedicated bus right of way.

PRESTO — Ontario's first-ever regional fare card — is rolling out across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, and is now available on Oakville and Burlington Transit; at all 11 GO stations along the Lakeshore West line; at all eight stations along the Milton line; at Mount Pleasant, Etobicoke North, Malton and Union GO stations; and at nine TTC subway stations.

Province's Contribution Through the Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan

Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario, provides leadership in the coordination, financing and integration of all modes of transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). A seamless, integrated regional transit network with a focus on public transit means people and businesses will be able to move more easily across the GTHA, making cities more liveable and the economy stronger, while protecting the environment. Metrolinx is also responsible for the operation of GO Transit.

In November 2008, Metrolinx released "The Big Move," its regional transportation plan for the GTHA. The Big Move identifies plans for expansion of the regional rapid transit network, including subways, light rail and bus rapid transit (BRT) lines, integrated with an expanded GO Transit commuter rail network. Metrolinx is now implementing a number of key projects identified in The Big Move, including the "Big 5" transit projects in the GTHA at an estimated cost of $9 billion. The "Big 5" projects include:

• Sheppard East light rail transit (LRT);
• Finch West LRT;
• Eglinton Crosstown LRT;
• York Viva BRT in York Region; and
• upgrading and extension of Scarborough Rapid Transit.

The provincial government is committed to the implementation of the Big 5 transit projects. Metrolinx has developed the 5 in 10 Plan, a well thought-out, solid plan to implement the "Big 5" projects within a credible 10-year time frame. Metrolinx is now proceeding with the implementation of the 5 in 10 investment. Construction is underway on the Sheppard East LRT and the first segment of York Viva BRT in York Region is just weeks away from being completed. In addition, work is underway on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT with the purchase of four tunnel-boring machines; and the environmental assessments are complete, and the planning and design are underway on both the Scarborough and Finch West LRT projects.    

YORK REGION (vivaNext)

VivaNext is York Region's plan for the next generation of rapid transit, which includes subway extensions, light rail transit lines and dedicated rapidway lanes for Viva vehicles.

Rapidways are dedicated lanes in the centre of the road that allow Viva vehicles to avoid congestion and maintain faster, more consistent travel times. Like subway extensions and light rail transit lines, the rapidways will encourage the development of attractive and pedestrian-friendly places with a mix of uses along their routes where people will come to live, work, shop and play.

For further information:

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
Karen Wilson Office of Michael Chan, MPP for Markham-Unionville 905-305-1935			Bob Nichols Communications Ontario Ministry of Transportation Toronto 416-327-1158
Dale Albers Communications York Region Rapid Transit Corporation Markham 905-886-6767			Vanessa Thomas Media Relations Metrolinx Toronto 416-874-5974

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