No. H022/10
For release - February 22, 2010
QUISPAMSIS, NEW BRUNSWICK — The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, and Member of Parliament for Fundy-Royal; Rodney Weston, Member of Parliament for Saint John; New Brunswick Health Minister Mary Schryer, on behalf of Transportation Minister Denis Landry; Saint John East Member of the Legislative Assembly Roly MacIntyre; and Mayor of Quispamsis, Murray Driscoll, today unveiled a new articulated bus for the residents of Quispamsis.
“The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of inclusive and safe public transit options to provide communities with direct access to the important services that promote economic and social activity,” said Minister Moore. “Today’s announcement is a great example of what can be accomplished when governments work together to support and strengthen Canadian communities.”
“The launch of this new articulated bus is very good news for the residents of Quispamsis,” said MP Weston. “It will expand and strengthen the Quispamsis transit system, as well as help to enhance the community’s economic development.”
The Government of Canada, through the federal Public Transit Capital Trust, provided the Saint John Transit Commission with funding of $1.3 million to purchase two buses through the New Brunswick Department of Transportation’s Rural to Urban Commuter Program. Saint John Transit maintains and operates these buses, which offer additional transit services for the communities of Hampton and Quispamsis.
“The Government of New Brunswick is pleased to support these services that provide public transit alternatives to families and communities outside Saint John,” said Minister Schryer. “We are pleased to extend affordable transportation to more residents, which encourages them to park their cars and help reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.”
“Saint John has the greatest participation of all transit services in the province,” said MLA MacIntyre. “This continued support for Saint John Transit by the governments of Canada and New Brunswick is very exciting and will be a catalyst for further growth.”
“After many tries and failures in the past, we now have a system that has shown the need and has found a solution to morning and evening transportation for our residents,” said Mayor Driscoll. “With the new articulated bus fewer passengers will now have to stand during peak periods and we look to expand the service come the fall with the opening of the Q-Plex.”
In Budget 2008, the Government of Canada provided $500 million for the Public Transit Capital Trust, which helps to fund public transit projects such as rapid transit, transit buses and high-occupancy vehicle and bicycle lanes.
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