Windsor, Ontario, July 20, 2007 - His Worship Eddie Francis, Mayor of
Windsor, together with Mr. Patrick Brown, Member of Parliament for Barrie,
on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Donna Cansfield,
Ontario Minister of Transportation, are pleased to announce the grand
opening of the new downtown multi-modal bus terminal. The new, fully
accessible 9,250 square foot facility not only provides improved customer
amenities, but will also better meet the public's needs well into the
future.The terminal was made possible through partnership funding
from all levels of government. Canada's New Government contributed $2.7
million through the federal Public Transit Capital Trust . The Government
of Ontario contributed $3.2 million in transit expansion and provincial
gas tax funding to the City of Windsor. The City of Windsor has
contributed $1.6 million, including $300,000 from the City Centre
Revitalization Program, and $100,000 from the Windsor Accessibility
Committee (WAC). "Canada's New Government is proud to be working
in partnership with the Province of Ontario and City of Windsor to address
infrastructure needs in a way that respects jurisdiction," said Mr. Brown.
"This important investment will help meet transit infrastructure needs in
Windsor, while supporting our government's commitment to provide Canadians
with cleaner air, economic opportunities, and an improved quality of life.
And through our ‘Building Canada' plan, we will continue to invest in
modern, world-class infrastructure across the country.""The
McGuinty government has made record investments in public transit," said
Minister Cansfield. "Since 2003, we have invested $16.3 million for
transit in Windsor. These investments are enabling the City of Windsor to
expand transit infrastructure, buy more buses, and add more routes and
service hours. The new multimodal Windsor Transit Terminal will continue
to improve connections between Windsor Transit buses and inter-city buses,
making transit more efficient and coordinated for users, so they spend
less time commuting.""Predictable, long term funding like the
federal gas tax has allowed municipalities to invest in local
environmentally sustainable infrastructure priorities," stated Association
of Municipalities of Ontario President, Doug Reycraft.The terminal
is the first development within the City Centre West Urban Village and
sets the tone for future public and private development. The new facility
strengthens an already diverse neighbourhood with the Art Gallery of
Windsor, Chrysler Theatre and the new St. Clair Centre of the Arts
adjacent to the building.Neighbourhood residents have excitedly waited
for the opening, often peering in windows as the city and inter-city bus
systems moved into their new home. Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis said,
"There is definitely an increase in activity in the Urban Village with the
addition of the bus terminal. Transit buses operate 21 hours per day, 365
days a year and cover over 4 million km annually." Mayor Francis
continued, "Residents are reaping the added benefits. Bus operators are
the eyes and ears of the community, and our buses are directly linked to
police and fire dispatch. About 300 buses each weekday will come and go
from the new station, and residents can feel comfort with that
information."Transit Windsor began operations from the new
location on June 24 to coincide with the annual summer schedule change.
Greyhound began service from the building on June 26. The new transit
terminal features 12 transit bays, four Greyhound bays, five fully
accessible ticket wickets, wide automatic doors, in-floor heating, public
seating for 80 passengers, a sound system, Braille signage, thermal energy
heating and cooling, 96 per cent UV reflecting glass, and airport style
(no doors) public washrooms.Funding for public transit is one
component of the partnership investments Canada's New Government is making
in infrastructure. In Budget 2007, Canada's New Government announced an
unprecedented $33-billion "Building Canada" infrastructure plan to provide
long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure
needs across Canada. Building Canada will focus on projects of national
importance for a stronger, safer and healthier country, such as
initiatives for cleaner air and water, a stronger economy through modern
infrastructure and a better quality of life for our communities
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Contacts:
Natalie SarafianOffice of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities613-991-0700
Jamie RilettOffice of the Ontario Minister of
Transportation416-327-9134
France Isabelle-Tunks, P. Eng.Project Administrator, Engineering
& Corporate ProjectsCity of Windsor519-255-6100 x6402
Penny WilliamsGeneral Manager, Transit Windsor519-944-4141
x242
Infrastructure CanadaCommunications 613-948-1148
Bob NicholsCommunications Branch Ontario Ministry of
Transportation416-327-1158
