TORONTO, Ontario - The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto today announced a $1 billion funding package representing the largest ever joint federal-provincial investment in municipal transit. This agreement will average $70 million per year from each government over five years to improve, modernize and expand the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) system and help provide better transit service to the TTC’s 1.3 million daily riders.The Right Honourable Paul Martin, Prime Minister of Canada together with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Toronto Mayor David Miller, made this announcement on the 50th anniversary of the TTC’s first subway. The governments will work together to modernize and expand bus, streetcar and subway services through the acquisition of new vehicles and through improvements such as dedicated transit rights-of-way, transit priority measures, and subway improvements. The partnership will also include investments in new technologies to support the TTC’s transition to new, lower emission buses and the TTC’s participation in an integrated fare system for all GTA transit users. "This is the New Deal in action," said Prime Minister Martin. "This partnership reflects a new spirit between the three levels of government, and proves that together we will make a major impact on transit in Toronto." “By strengthening the communities in which we live, we can provide our people with a quality of life that is second to none," Premier McGuinty said. "Governments are working together to deliver real, positive change in Toronto, and across the province. Today's announcement is just part of a new federal-provincial plan to improve Ontario's infrastructure.”“The commitments made today are a good first step in securing the funding for Toronto's transit system that keeps our city moving," said Mayor Miller. "Maintaining the transit system in a state of good repair, and increasing ridership requires the ongoing contributions of all levels of government. I look forward to many more announcements like the one we have made together today.”The joint $1 billion investment will support increased transit ridership through improvements in capacity, speed, comfort, convenience and reliability, while also improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Government of Canada’s contribution will come from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. It significantly enhances a $76-million infrastructure investment, made in 2002, for improvements to the TTC’s transit system. The Government of Ontario has invested more than $126 million in the Toronto Transit Commission for safety and capital improvements since October 2003 to build a better transportation network that will reduce commute time and gridlock and improve air quality. www.tc.gc.ca www.premier.gov.on.ca www.pir.gov.on.ca www.mto.gov.on.ca www.toronto.ca
