Eight communities—including Timmins—are about to see improvements to the way transit operates.

Around $1.4-million will come locally to cover the following 13 projects:

  • refurbish two conventional buses ($80,000)
  • purchase two 40′ NOVA LFS accessible buses ($540,000)
  • purchase two specialized vehicles ($115,000)
  • purchase one new service truck ($37,500)
  • upgrade automated stops to one central system/Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) system to improve real time bus information ($172,500)
  • upgrade fare collection system ($62,500)
  • install 19 passenger counters to conventional buses ($40,000)
  • upgrade and install new shelters ($15,000)
  • install 100 new retro-reflective bus stop signs ($5,000)
  • transit terminal repairs ($75,000)
  • replace windows and doors at transit terminal ($50,000)
  • resurface front parking lot at transit garage ($70,000)

Each project will start up at various points throughout 2017.  Much of the changes will start up in February, with the latest project starting on August 1st.

This is all part of an investment of more than $8.46 million dollars from the federal government.  That’s to fund up to 50% of eligible project costs.  The province and municipalities will provide the remaining funds.

The local cash is said to come from the gas tax fund, which is provided to a number of municipalities on an annual basis.

The announcement was made Monday in Thunder Bay.

“The Government of Canada recognizes how important affordable and efficient transit infrastructure is to growing the middle class and getting kids to school, employees to work, and seniors to the services they need on time and back home quickly at the end of a long day. We are very pleased to announce new public transit projects here in Thunder Bay and across Ontario which will help make municipalities stronger, more inclusive and sustainable, while ensuring that Canadian communities remain among the best places in the world to live, work and raise a family.”

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“This partnership between Ontario, our municipalities, and the federal government builds on our government’s historic infrastructure investments we are already making as part of our economic plan for jobs and growth. The projects supported through this new agreement here in Thunder Bay and across the province will improve the transit experience for riders and help them support our low-carbon economy for decades to come.”

The Honourable Michael Gravelle, Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines, on behalf of the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure

Filed under: Local News