Canada and Quebec support improved public transit service in the Greater Montréal Area
News Release
Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, December 15, 2017—The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize that investing in public transit infrastructure is crucial to economic growth, reducing air pollution, and creating inclusive communities where everyone has access to public services and job opportunities.
Linda Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, Ramez Ayoub, Member of Parliament for Thérèse-De Blainville, Christine Saint-Pierre, Quebec’s Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, Minister Responsible for the Laurentides Region, and Yves Saint-Denis, Member of the National Assembly for Argenteuil, today announced an investment of nearly $25.7 million for one project for the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) and 15 projects for the Réseau de transport métropolitain (RTM) under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund. The Government of Canada will provide over $14.2 million for these projects, and the Government of Quebec will contribute more than $11.4 million. The ARTM will provide the remaining funding.
Among the projects receiving funding are new client service buildings for the RTM, including a waiting area, outdoor ticket office and bicycle repair station. There are also plans to improve the information system to reduce costs, enhance user service and optimize the network. The financial assistance will also go towards updating the Chrono mobile application to improve travel planning for users.
Once completed, these projects will improve the performance, efficiency and reliability of the Greater Montréal Area’s transit system, make it more inclusive, and meet the community’s immediate needs while preparing for anticipated future increases in ridership.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada is investing in projects to help build sustainable communities while promoting economic development and the growth of the middle class. The public transit projects announced today will help reduce commute times and greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing the overall user experience and preparing the Greater Montréal Area for future growth.”
Linda Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles
“I am pleased to highlight the Government of Canada’s contribution to these projects, which will encourage residents of Montréal’s North Shore to adopt more sustainable transportation solutions. Installing bicycle stands at the commuter train stations in St Thérèse and Terrebonne will also give cyclists better access to public transit. Investing in public transit helps transform the way Canadians live, travel and work so that they get to spend more time with their families.”
Ramez Ayoub, Member of Parliament for Thérèse-De Blainville
“I am pleased to announce this investment by the Government of Quebec, the Government of Canada, and the ARTM to help maintain, upgrade and develop public transit infrastructure in the greater Montréal area. It is sure to improve travel times and the user experience for the residents of the north shore.”
Christine Saint-Pierre, Quebec’s Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, Minister Responsible for the Laurentides Region
“Developing active alternative means of public transports is one of the key issues in the greater Montréal area. I am therefore very happy that our government is backing projects that will make the public transit system more reliable and effective.”
Yves Saint-Denis, Member of the National Assembly for Argenteuil
“The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain is pleased to be helping fund key projects to improve the mobility and efficiency of public transit and active transportation travel in the region. The investments announced today will allow us to continue collaborating with the RTM in developing technological tools and projects that will have a positive impact for public transit users.
Paul Côté, Chief Executive Officer of the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain
"We are delighted with the substantial investments made by the governments of Canada and Quebec on these Réseau de transport métropolitain projects. These investments will allow us to significantly improve the on-board and mobile application information provided to customers, build service buildings and bike routes to meet user needs, and to begin the planning stages for the construction of a new train station in Mirabel."
Raymond Bachant, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Réseau de transport métropolitain
Quick Facts
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The Government of Canada will invest 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.
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$25.3 billion of this funding will support public transit projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
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Over the next ten years, the Government of Quebec plans to invest more than $91.1 billion from the province’s infrastructure plan in health, education and transportation, in order to improve families’ quality of life and create conditions that support innovation and economic growth.
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Contacts
Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Tel.: 613219-0149
Marie-Pier Richard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification
Tel: 418-643-6980
For Information:
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Quebec Department of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification
Tel.: 418-644-4444
Montréal: 514-873-5600
Toll-free: 1-866-341-5724
Infrastructure Canada
Tel.: 613-960-9251
Toll-free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Website: Infrastructure Canada