Municipal Affairs and Environment
March 03, 2017
Investing in Communities
Investments in Public Transit System Support Better Services for Residents
The Provincial Government was joined by representatives from the Federal Government and the City of St. John’s today to announce infrastructure investments of over $2.6 million to provide vital upgrades for St. John’s Metrobus transit system. The upgrades are intended to improve rider experience, modernize the existing bus fleet, and assist in establishing a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable transit system in St. John’s.
Investments will be used for the addition of 18 new accessible buses fitted with video surveillance; a total of 29 new wheelchair accessible bus shelters along six accessible routes; and a new transit operations system that will lead to more reliable scheduling.
Funding will also be made available for a CopperTree Analytics study that will help improve operational efficiencies at the fleet’s only service and maintenance facility, generating cost-savings that will directly impact transit service delivery.
For the complete list of identified projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, see the backgrounder below.
ThisThis initiative complements commitments outlined in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, which guides Provincial Government actions to achieve greater efficiency, strengthen the province’s economic foundation, enhance services and improve outcomes to promote a healthy and prosperous province.
Quotes
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues to collaborate with the Federal Government and municipal governments to assist communities as they pursue regional infrastructure improvements. The funding announced supports modernization, operational efficiencies and improved accessibility for users of the municipal transit system, and these investments will contribute to more sustainable, efficient and effective delivery of services for residents.”
- The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment
“The Government of Canada recognizes that we need a solid partnership with all orders of government to support infrastructure projects that help the middle class grow and prosper now and into the future. Getting people where they need to go safely, efficiently and comfortably is fundamental to economic growth and I’m very pleased to see how this new funding program will yield benefits for transit users in St. John’s.”
- Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John's East, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“The City of St. John's is pleased to contribute over $1.3 million to improve infrastructure and service for GoBus and Metrobus customers. Our goal is to ensure that accessible, affordable transportation is provided to all residents in a respectful manner, and these upgrades will make a positive difference in the lives of many residents.”
- Dennis O’Keefe, Mayor, City of St. John's
To learn more about the Government of Canada’s $180-billion+ infrastructure plan: www.budget.gc.ca/fes-eea/2016/docs/themes/infrastructure-en.html
To learn more about federal infrastructure investments in Newfoundland and Labrador: www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html.
To learn more about the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, visit : www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/ptif-fitc-eng.php.
To learn more about the new Building Canada Plan: www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html.
QUICK FACTS
- The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador have approved a new list of transit projects under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF), which is designed to address key infrastructure priorities with a focus on repairing and upgrading existing facilities and assets.
- Investments of over $2.6 million were announced today to provide vital upgrades for St. John’s Metrobus transit system.
- The upgrades are intended to improve rider experience, modernize the existing bus fleet, and assist in establishing a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable transit system in St. John’s.
- This initiative complements commitments outlined in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, which guides Provincial Government actions to achieve greater efficiency, strengthen the province’s economic foundation, enhance services and improve outcomes to promote a healthy and prosperous province.
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Media contacts:
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Lynn Robinson Media Relations Manager Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment 709-729-5449, 691-9466 lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca |
Brook Simpson Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities 613-219-0149 Brook.Simpson@canada.ca |
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Kelly Maguire Media Relations City of St. John's 709-576-8491 kmaguire@stjohns.ca |
Backgrounder
Projects Receiving Funding
Details on projects receiving funding through an announcement in St. John’s on March 3, 2017.
The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador have approved a new list of transit projects under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF), which is designed to address key infrastructure priorities with a focus on repairing and upgrading existing facilities and assets.
As part of the bilateral agreement between Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador, the following projects have now been approved for federal funding. The Government of Canada is providing more than $1.3 million for these projects, representing 50 per cent of the total eligible costs, and the City of St. John’s is providing over $1.3 million for a combined investment of more than $2.6 million.
These projects are addition to the eight PTIF projects announced for Newfoundland and Labrador: //www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2016/exec/0707n04.aspx
| Location | Project name | Federal funding | Municipal funding | Anticipated start date |
| St. John's, City of | Eighteen (18) 21-22 foot buses for Accessible Transit | $770,810 | $770,810 | January 1, 2017 |
| St. John's, City of | Coppertree Analytics Pilot Project | $6,348 | $6,348 | January 1, 2017 |
| St. John's, City of | Twenty nine (29) Wheelchair Accessible Shelters | $186,128 | $186,128 | January 4, 2017 |
| St. John's, City of | On Board Camera Video Surveillance System - GoBus | $68,013 | $68,013 | January 4, 2017 |
| St. John's, City of | Upgrading of On Demand Scheduling System - GoBus | $272,051 | $272,051 | February 1, 2017 |
2017 03 03 11:45 a.m.