New hybrid public transit buses coming to Quebec City

QUEBEC, March 16, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, on behalf the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, along with Patrick Huot, Deputy Whip for the Government of Quebec and  Member of the National Assembly for Vanier-Les Rivières, on behalf of the Government of Quebec, are pleased to announce that the Réseau de transport de la Capitale will be purchasing up to 32 new hybrid midi-buses thanks to provincial and federal financial support. They were also accompanied by Mayor of Quebec City, Régis Labeaume, for the occasion.  

These hybrid diesel-electric vehicles are nine metres long and equipped with low-floor entrances and manual ramps. As well as being easily accessible, they produce fewer gas emissions and cost less to operate and maintain than full-sized buses.

This project will receive up to $22,759,010 in government support through the federal Gas Tax Fund and a contribution from the Government of Quebec:

• Canada: $11.2 million;
• Quebec: $11.5 million.

Through this funding program, the federal and provincial governments are providing Québec municipalities with more than $983.1 for public transit equipment and infrastructure renewal over a five-year period up to 2019.

Quotations

"The Government of Canada is proud to be partnering with Quebec to support the purchase of these new midi-buses for Quebec City's transit system. We are determined to build solid relationships with our municipal and provincial partners to develop strong communities across the country and improve the quality of life of all Canadians through investments in public infrastructure."

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The future of public transit depends first and foremost on upgrading existing infrastructure and equipment. With a view to sustainable mobility, we are investing today to ensure benefits for tomorrow; we are contributing to a more mobile population while reducing traffic congestion and its associated effects."

Patrick Huot, Member of the National Assembly for Vanier-Les Rivière , on behalf of the Government of Quebec

"With the launch of the project assessment bureau for rapid public bus transit and the implementation of the Sustainable Mobility Plan, this government investment adds to important efforts already being made annually by the City. Purchasing these mid-sized hybrid buses is allowing us to consolidate and improve public transit services in Québec."

Régis Labeaume, Mayor of Quebec City  

Related links

To learn more about the federal Gas Tax Fund, visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html.

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

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

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web site: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Cabinet du ministre des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l'Électrification des transports

Contacts: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149, [email protected]; Melissa Turgeon, Press Secretary, Quebec Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Electrification, Tel: [phone]; Paul-Christian Nolin, Press Secretary, Office of the Mayor of Quebec City, Tel: [phone]; Pierre Bouillon, Political Advisor to the MNA of Vanier-Les Rivières and Quebec's Deputy Government Whip, Tel: [phone]; Media Relations, Transport Quebec, Tel: [phone] (QC); 514-873-5600 (Montréal), Toll free: 1-866-341-5724; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll-free: 1-877-250-7154