Fredericton, New Brunswick - Mike Allen, M.P. for
Tobique-Mactaquac, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Denis
Landry, Minister of Transportation, announced today that Fredericton is
receiving $1.9 million in federal funding to improve its public
transit.
This federal funding is provided under the Canada-New Brunswick
Agreement on Public Transit. The agreement includes a five-year capital
investment plan in which the City of Fredericton will purchase 14 new
buses and one para transit bus. These new buses will all be low-emission
and wheel-chair accessible.
These new buses will reduce the average age of the city's bus fleet
from nearly 16 years to 10 years. Ridership is projected to increase by
50,000 and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 250 metric tonnes
by 2010. The city also plans to expand its maintenance facility to
accommodate the larger fleet.
This contribution shows that Canada's New Government is helping to get
things done for Fredericton, said MP Allen. Through public transit
investments the Canada's New Government is delivering on our Budget 2006
commitment to provide Canadians with a healthy environment, economic
opportunities, a high quality of life and safety and security.
New Brunswick is pleased to support this innovative vision for public
transit. The provincial government is committed to environmental
sustainability, said Minister Landry. All levels of government must work
to encourage public awareness of the importance of sustainable
transportation. Fleet renewal is key to retaining ridership and
encouraging more New Brunswickers to take the bus.
This investment in our public transit system will allow us to renew
our fleet with modern, accessible and more fuel-efficient buses, said
Mayor Woodside. It also supports our Active Transportation initiative
to provide alternate forms of transportation for our residents.
A total of $9.4 million will be invested in three New Brunswick
communities through the Canada-New Brunswick Agreement on the Transfer of
Federal Public Transit Funds. These investments will result in significant
environmental benefits, such as cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas
emissions.
The New Brunswick Department of Transportation assisted in the
preparation of the agreements, the preparation of the capital investment
plans, and will assist in the development of transit strategies. The funds
will be administered by the Regional Development Corporation.
Lowering transportation emissions contributes significantly to
reductions in both greenhouse gases and smog. According to the Department
of Transportation, about one-quarter of total greenhouse gas emissions in
New Brunswick are caused by transportation. Of this amount, over 70 per
cent arises from road transportation.
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