Montérégie public transit users getting a new passenger information system

CANDIAC, QC, Aug. 23, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ -  Infrastructure Canada - The governments of Canada and Quebec today announced funding for the inauguration of a new operations support and passenger information system for public transit systems serving 12 Montérégie municipalities. Celebrating the occasion today were Member of Parliament, Jean-Claude Poissant, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Minister responsible for the Montérégie region, Lucie Charlebois, on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification.

The intermunicipal boards of transport for Roussillon, Richelain, Chambly-Richelieu-Carignan and Town  of Sainte-Julie, worked together to implement the system in the municipalities of Candiac, La Prairie, Saint-Philippe, Delson, Saint-Constant, Sainte-Catherine, Chambly, Richelieu, Carignan, Saint-Mathias, Marieville, and Sainte-Julie.

The operations support and passenger information system will use state-of-the-art technology to facilitate operations, track schedules in real time, and communicate information. The equipment will improve punctuality and client service, particularly by providing a higher quality of information for users.

The governments of Canada and Quebec are providing up to $4.3 million in funding for this project through the Federal Gas Tax Fund and the province of Quebec:

• Federal contribution: $2.45 million;
• Provincial contribution: $1.85 million.

As part of this funding program, the federal and provincial governments are providing Quebec municipalities with over $983.1 million for the renewal and enhancement of public transit infrastructure and facilities over a five-year period up to 2019.

The Government of Canada also delivered its first annual allocation of more than $240.5 million to Quebec under the federal Gas Tax Fund last month. In total, Quebec will receive more than $481 million from the Fund this year.

The project will also be receiving $160,313 in financial assistance from the Quebec government's program for public transit.

Quotes
"The Government of Canada recognizes that we need solid partnerships with all levels of government to support infrastructure and create well-paid jobs that will ensure growth and prosperity for the middle class. Helping people get where they need to go safely, effectively and comfortably is key to economic growth. That's why I'm delighted that federal funds are being used to improve public transit services for Montérégie users."

Jean-Claude Poissant, Member of Parliament for La Prairie, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The future of public transit starts with improving infrastructure and existing equipment. From a sustainable mobility perspective, we are investing today to ensure benefits for tomorrow. We are helping to move people while relieving traffic congestion and the consequences it entails. I am pleased that the citizens of Montérégie will benefit from this passenger information system, which will greatly improve the experience of using public transit."

Lucie Charlebois, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living and Minister responsible for the Montérégie region, on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification

Related products
Allocations from the Federal Gas Tax Fund to Quebec communities for 2016-2017:
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1115389.

Related links
To find out more about the federal Gas Tax Fund:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html.

To consult the Federal Gas Tax Fund Agreement between Canada and Quebec:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/agreements-ententes/gtf-fte/2014-qc-eng.html.

To see how the Federal Gas Tax Fund works in Quebec, go to the Société de financement des infrastructures locales du Québec (SOFIL) website at:
http://www.sofil.gouv.qc.ca/.

To see how the federal government invests in Quebec through other programs:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/qc-eng.html.

To give your opinion on infrastructure, go to:
http://infraconsults.ca/.

SOURCE Ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l'Électrification des transports

Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Tel: [phone], [e-mail]; Bianca Boutin, Press Secretary, Office of the Member of Parliament for Montérégie region, Tel: [phone]; Infrastructure Canada, Tel: [phone], Toll-free: 1 877 250-7154, Email: [e-mail]; Twitter: @INFC_fra, Web site: Infrastructure Canada; Media Relations, Communications Directorate, Quebec Department of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification, Tel: Quebec City: 418 644-4444, Montreal: 514 873-5600, Toll-free: 1 866 341-5724