No. H127/11
For release - December 9, 2011
VERNON, BRITISH COLUMBIA — A new transit operations and maintenance centre opened today in Vernon, responding to the growing demands for public transportation in the city.
The centre was made possible through funding contributions from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.
Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap, joined Vernon-Monashee Member of the Legislative Assembly Eric Foster, along with Mayor Rob Sawatzky of the City of Vernon, Mayor Jim Garlick of the District of Coldstream, Rick Fairbairn, Area D Director of the Regional District of North Okanagan and Manuel Achadinha, BC Transit president and chief executive officer , to officially open the new facility.
"Our government is proud to invest in projects that create jobs and economic growth, and improve public transit for Canadians," said MP Mayes. "This impressive new transit centre will help to provide efficient and reliable transit service in our local communities, and ensure that transit users can reach their destinations safely and on time."
"This new facility provides the backbone for transit services in our community," said MLA Foster. "Ultimately it provides room for transit to grow, which will benefit families, business and our environment."
The $13.3-million facility was completed ahead of schedule and is expected to handle the growth in demand for transit services throughout the region. The province contributed $4.7 million to the facility, the Government of Canada contributed $3.3 million and local partners funded the $5.3-million balance.
The facility consists of an administration and maintenance building, wash bay, covered diesel fuelling station, outdoor covered storage area and parking.
"A facility of this sort is an essential part of our transit service as it evolves to suit our community's needs," said Mayor Sawatzky.
"I am pleased to see the completion of this transit facility," added Mayor Garlick. "The district is committed to work with BC Transit and our partners to develop a transit system that makes sense and serves the needs of the region in a reasonable, cost-effective manner."
"This new facility showcases our commitment to ensuring residents can continue to access community resources and pursue economic opportunities," said Mr. Fairbairn.
Located at the intersection of 43rd Street and 25th Avenue, the centre is expected to house the Vernon Regional Transit System for at least 25 years.
"We are proud to be celebrating the official opening of this facility with our partners today," said Mr. Achadinha. "BC Transit is committed to meeting the needs of our customers in Vernon and the surrounding communities today and in the future."
In 2010, there were more than 500,000 trips on Vernon's local transit system.
This project is part of the British Columbia Transit Improvement Program, a $420-million suite of projects to which the federal government will contribute up to $118 million under the Building Canada Fund Major Infrastructure Component.
Learn More:
The Provincial Transit Plan: www.th.gov.bc.ca/Transit_Plan/index.html
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Contacts:
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Kate Trotter
Government Communications and
Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Province of British Columbia
250-356-8241
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Joanna Linsangan
BC Transit
250-995-5720
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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