Residents of St. Catharines to benefit from more reliable public transit

ST. CATHARINES, ON, Feb. 8, 2019 /CNW/ - Investing in public infrastructure supports affordable and sustainable transit services that make travel easier, faster and safer for riders and ensure that our communities are among the best places to live, play and raise a family.

Today, Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Monte McNaughton, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure; and his Worship Walter Sendzik, Mayor of St. Catharines, announced up to $400,000 in joint funding to improve public transit infrastructure in St. Catharines.

This project involves replacing twelve diesel engines in buses that serve public transit users in the City of St. Catharines. This improvement will increase reliability for riders so that residents using public transit can travel where they need to go safely, efficiently and comfortably.

The Government of Canada is providing up to $200,000 through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund for this project while the Corporation of the City of St. Catharines is covering the remaining costs.

This investment is part of an agreement between Canada and Ontario for the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

Quotes

"Having modern, reliable public transportation infrastructure is a priority for Canadians. Affordable and efficient public transit infrastructure helps build inclusive and sustainable communities, while growing the economy. The project announced today in St. Catharines will help ensure that riders get to work on time and back home safely at the end of the day."

Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Ontario's Government is working for the people to make life easier. One of the ways we're doing that is by investing in public transit in our cities, towns and villages, including here in St. Catharines. Smart infrastructure investments like this one create great jobs, unlock economic opportunities and, most importantly, make it easier for people to get home to their loved ones."

The Honourable Monte McNaughton, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure

"The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund supports municipalities to build transit and connect our communities for the future. This investment is just one more example of the ways that we are working together with our regional and government partners to modernize transit across Niagara."

His Worship Walter Sendzik, Mayor of St. Catharines

Quick facts

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• $28.7 billion of this funding is supporting public transit projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• This year Ontario is giving $364 million in gas tax funding to 107 municipalities that provide public transit to 144 communities, representing over 92 per cent of Ontario's total population. This includes $2,632,909 to the City of St. Catharines.
• Ontario is committed to investing in public transit to make life easier for people. Increasing sustainable trip options, like the new weekday GO Train service to St. Catharines, is key to fighting congestion on our roads and getting people moving.

Associated links

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/on-eng.html

The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/ptif-fitc-eng.php

2018-19 Ontario Gas Tax Funding by Municipality: https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2019/01/2018-19-gas-tax-funding-by-municipality.html

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Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

For further information: Ann-Clara Vaillancourt, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-697-3778, [e-mail]; Andrew Buttigieg, Press Secretary, Minister's Office, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, 437-224-4599, [e-mail]; Office of Mayor Walter Sendzik, City of St. Catharines, 905-688-5601 ext. 1540, [e-mail]; Media Relations, Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [e-mail]

Related Links

www.infrastructure.gc.ca