Residents in the Waterloo Region to benefit from improved public transit infrastructure
News release
Kitchener, Ontario, August 29, 2019— Strategic investments in public transit infrastructure play a key role in supporting efficient, affordable and sustainable transportation services that help the residents of the Region of Waterloo, and their families get to work, school and essential services on time and safely back home at the end of a long day.
The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Waterloo, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; along with Karen Redman, Chair of the Region of Waterloo, today announced funding for five public transit projects in the Region of Waterloo.
Also in attendance for the announcement were Marwan Tabbara, Member of Parliament for Kitchener South–Hespeler; Raj Saini, Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre; and Bryan May, Member of Parliament for Cambridge.
These projects will help increase capacity of the public transit system in the region. The residents of Waterloo Region who use public transit will benefit from 31 new diesel buses, in addition to 21 specialized transit buses.
The community will also benefit from a new maintenance and storage facility that will have the capacity to house 200 buses, 22 maintenance bays, three inspection pits, one degrease bay, a tire bay, two wash stations and a dedicated cleaning lane. Commuters and residents will benefit from improved capacity, reliability, and better access to regular and specialized transit services in the region.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $57 million in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Ontario is providing more than $47 million to the projects, while the Region of Waterloo is contributing more than $55 million.
Quotes
“Projects like these help our communities provide efficient and reliable services that transform the way Canadians live, move, and work. These important projects will provide residents and commuters in the Waterloo Region with the infrastructure needed to travel across the community safely and reliably. This is an excellent example of how we are working to build stronger, more sustainable infrastructure that will serve communities now and in the future.”
The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Waterloo, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“A well-resourced transit system is critical to the future development of Waterloo Region. I am pleased that our government has been able to provide significant funding for many transformational projects that will better serve commuters in Waterloo Region.”
Marwan Tabbara, Member of Parliament for Kitchener South– Hespeler
“This investment is wonderful news for the entire Region and will have a significant impact on the sustainability of our transit system. Our government is committed to re-envisioning our community through an environmental lens and supporting a necessary transition to a cleaner and more prosperous future. This transit project will allow us to continue to meet Waterloo Region’s needs for years to come.”
Raj Saini, Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre
“Critical infrastructure investments like this are key to the success of our community, and I’m proud of our government’s investment. Grand River Transit’s operations enable citizens to live, work, and play in our region, and this funding will support them in getting there faster, more easily, and with improved safety.”
Bryan May, Member of Parliament for Cambridge
“The Region of Waterloo is pleased with today’s infrastructure funding announcement”, said Regional Chair Karen Redman. “Our local Members of Parliament have long been supportive of our efforts to improve our transit infrastructure. It is investments like these that recognize the importance of transit in creating a vibrant and liveable community, reducing suburban sprawl and in meeting the transportation needs of our growing community.”
Karen Redman, Chair of the Region of Waterloo
Quick facts
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Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing 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.
- $28.7 billion of this funding is supporting public transit projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
- More than $10.1 billion of this funding is supporting trade and transportation projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
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Contacts
Ann-Clara Vaillancourt
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-697-3778
ann-clara.vaillancourt@canada.ca
Stacey Abbott
Acting Director of Corporate Communications
Region of Waterloo
519-575-4837
Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
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