Saskatoon Transit adds 11 new buses to fleet as part of transit renewal
SASKATOON, SK, June 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Investing in public infrastructure supports efficient, affordable and sustainable transit services that help Canadians and their families get to work, school and essential services on time and back home safely at the end of a long day. The Government of Canada is making investments that will help create well-paying jobs and grow the middle class now while building a strong foundation for a sustainable economic future.
Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Government Relations; and James McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit; have announced that 11 new fully accessible buses have been added to Saskatoon Transit's fleet. Funding was provided through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) from the Government of Canada and the City of Saskatoon. The Government of Saskatchewan administers federal PTIF funding in the province.
This transit service improvement falls under Saskatoon City Council's Strategic Goal of Moving Around, which aims to make it easier for citizens to use Saskatoon Transit by providing safe, convenient, reliable and affordable service. These buses are the first of 52 that have been ordered (40 conventional and 12 fully accessible buses) by Saskatoon Transit as part of their PTIF project.
This project is also part of the bilateral agreement between Canada and Saskatchewan and was announced on September 16, 2016, as part of more than $27.3 million in federal funding for 12 public transit projects. In addition, more than $1.4 million in federal funding was announced on January 11, 2017, for two additional projects under PTIF.
Quotes
"Investing in public transit infrastructure helps people get around quickly, reduces pollution, and creates good jobs today while laying the foundation for economic growth tomorrow. These new buses will help Saskatoon to renew its fleet and provide reliable transit services, allowing residents to spend less time on the road and more time with their families."
The Honourable Ralph Goodale,
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness,
On behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"The Government of Saskatchewan appreciates this program being available to our province's municipal partners to make their communities stronger. The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund will help Saskatoon improve their local transportation system for the benefit of citizens who work, live and raise families in Saskatchewan's largest city."
The Honourable Donna Harpauer,
Minister of Government Relations
"Adding these buses to our fleet reduces the average age of our buses which helps us to enhance our service level and reduce maintenance costs. These new buses are fully accessible, have wider aisles and bike racks which will result in more convenient trips for customers. They also come equipped from the factory with our automated stop announcement system and will help us lower our greenhouse gas emissions."
James McDonald,
Director of Saskatoon Transit
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada will contribute $12 million toward the renewal and upgrade of Saskatoon's Transit fleet. The City of Saskatoon will also be investing $12 million.
- The purchase price for the 11 Nova 40 foot low floor diesel buses was $5.8 million.
- Saskatoon Transit's asset management strategy will see changes to transit over the next eight years as the department:
- Reduces its average bus age from 11.9 to 7.3 years, thereby reducing maintenance costs and the number of 'spares' required;
- Provides full accessibility on every bus, along every route; and
- Offers air conditioning and other improved amenities on every bus.
- The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
- To support public transit, Budget 2017 proposes $25.3 billion. This amount includes $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
Associated links
Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html#Toc477707375
Federal infrastructure investments in Saskatchewan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/sk-eng.html
CWWF and PTIF projects in Saskatchewan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/pt-sp/pt-sp-sk-eng.html
The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/ptif-fitc-eng.php
Saskatoon Transit: www.saskatoontransit.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
For further information: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149, [email protected]; Dan Palmer, Ministry of Government Relations, Government of Saskatchewan, 306-787-7151, [email protected]; James McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit, 306-986-0880, [email protected]; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, [email protected]
Share this article