WINDSOR,
ON, July 11, 2024 /CNW/ - The City of Windsor is upgrading its transit
system after a joint federal-provincial-municipal investment of
more than $117 million.
This was announced today by MP Irek
Kusmierczyk, MPP Andrew Dowie, MPP Anthony Leardi, and
Transit Windsor's Executive Director, Tyson
Cragg.
These upgrades include improved bus stops and terminals, new
technologies and a larger fleet.
This investment will also help the city purchase new hybrid
electric buses and phase out old diesel ones.
Details about the projects the funding will support can be found
in the attached backgrounder.
Quotes
"This is the largest federal investment ever in Windsor's public transit and it comes at the
most vital time when demand is growing because our community is
growing. I talk to seniors, students, workers and business owners
all the time who tell me reliable public transit is critical to
their day to day. You see our federal government making historic
investments in a modern Transit Windsor, a new bridge, and a new
battery plant that is together modernizing how our community
moves."
Irek Kusmierczyk,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce
Development and Official Languages, and Member of Parliament for
Windsor—Tecumseh, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister
of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
"Under the leadership of Premier Ford, Ontario is in the middle of the largest
transit expansion in North
America, as we ensure communities across our province have
fast and reliable service for generations to come. Today's
investment will bring better, more modern transit to Windsor, helping more workers and families get
where they need to go when they need to get there."
Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario
Minister of Transportation
"Transit Windsor lifts barriers
to transportation for thousands of Windsorites. Today's provincial
investment reflects the strong collaboration that the Government of
Ontario maintains with the
City of Windsor and the Government
of Canada to build transportation
options for the residents of Windsor and Tecumseh."
Andrew Dowie, MPP,
Windsor--Tecumseh.
"These upgrades to the bus system in Windsor will help students get to class and
workers get to work. It's part of our government's nearly
$70 billion investment to improve
public transportation and support economic growth in communities
across Ontario over the next 10
years."
Anthony Leardi, MPP,
Essex
"Public Transit is obviously recognized as a necessity, and a
key economic driver by all three levels of government, and these
investments will go a long way to improving our rider experience.
Between the transit terminal expansions and relocations to come,
and the renovations to our main garage where our great staff keep
the buses rolling smoothly, we're excited to be celebrating this
partnership today."
Kieran McKenzie City Councillor and Transit Board
Member
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing $45,527,116 through the Public Transit
Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to support 10
transit projects. The Government of Ontario is contributing $37,935,470 and the City of Windsor is contributing $34,315,651.
- This stream supports the building, expansion, and upgrading of
urban and rural transit networks.
- Ontario is investing nearly
$70 billion over the next decade to
build public transit. The province is also investing $50 million to build a new interchange at Banwell
Road and E.C. Row Expressway. The Banwell interchange will improve
access to Canada's first electric
vehicle battery plant while also supporting supply chain businesses
across Windsor and the new
Windsor-Essex hospital.
- Investments in public transit help Canadians get where they
need to be, create new manufacturing and construction jobs, reduce
pollution, and make life more affordable.
- In Ontario, the Investing in
Canada Infrastructure Program's
Public Transit Infrastructure Stream has already approved over 400
projects to improve public transit. The federal government has
committed $8.3 billion to the
program, and the provincial government has committed $7.3 billion.
- Since 2015, the federal government has committed over
$30 billion for public transit and
active transportation projects. These historic investments have
resulted in close to 2000 projects across the country.
- In 2021, the federal government announced significant public
transit funding that includes billions in support for zero emission
buses, rural transit solution, active transportation, and support
for major projects to accelerate the expansion of large urban
transit systems that many Canadians depend on every day.
Related Document
Backgrounder: Investing in Windsor's public transit
Associated Links
Investing in Canada:
Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure
Plan
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
Public Transit Infrastructure Stream
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/pti-itc-eng.html
Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario
Infrastructure Canada -
Infrastructure in Ontario
Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
Follow us
on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities