Saint John, New Brunswick - Rob Moore, M.P. for Fundy
Royal, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Roly MacIntyre,
Minister of Supply and Services and Minister Responsible for the Regional
Development Corporation, announced today that Saint John has received over
$4.8 million to improve its public transit.
This federal funding is provided under the Canada-New Brunswick
Agreement on the Transfer of Federal Public Transit Fund. The agreement
includes a five-year capital investment plan in which the City of Saint
John will purchase 19 new buses and three new para transit buses. All of
these new buses will be low-emission and wheel-chair accessible.
The City of Saint John expects ridership to increase by 500,000 by
connecting the communities of Rothesay, Grand Bay-Westfield, Quispamsis
and Hampton to its transit system. Greenhouse gas emissions are projected
to drop by 1,500 metric tonnes and downtown traffic will decrease by 800
vehicles a day over the next five years. A new maintenance facility will
be required to support expanded transit services.
"I am pleased to see federal public transit funds being used to help
communities like Saint John to provide better services that encourage
people to leave their cars at home," said Mr. Moore. "Through public
transit investments, Canada's New Government is contributing to lowering
business costs and making our communities more liveable and
competitive."
"The provincial government is a strong supporter of projects that
benefit our environment," Minister MacIntyre said. "More people in Saint
John take the bus than in any other city of our province. Expanding the
service to neighbouring communities will be of benefit to employers and
will result in cleaner air for everyone who lives and works in Saint
John."
"Today's announcement is not only a win for Saint John; it is a win for
the surrounding communities and a win for the environment," said Mayor
McFarlane. "I am very pleased to see the funding being invested into
transportation that is accessible for all and environmentally
responsible."
A total of $9.4 million will be invested by the federal government 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 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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Contacts:
Natalie SarafianPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable
Lawrence Cannon Minister of Transport, Infrastructureand
CommunitiesTel: (613) 991-0700
Bruce MacfarlaneRegional Development CorporationGovernment of
New Brunswick(506) 444-4606
Tracey BurkhardtDirector of CommunicationsNew Brunswick
Department of Transportation(506) 453-5634
Infrastructure Canada(613) 948-1148
Mayor Norm McFarlaneCity of Saint John(506) 658-2912
