No. H150/13
For release - November 12, 2013
BRAMPTON, ONTARIO — Kyle Seeback, Member of Parliament for Brampton West; Vic Dhillon, Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton West; and Susan Fennell, Mayor of Brampton, participated in a groundbreaking today for the next phase of Brampton’s bus rapid transit (BRT) project known as Brampton Züm.
The $285-million Brampton Züm project is being delivered in two phases. Phase II of the project expands service along Queen Street and Steeles Avenue, and will introduce service on Bovaird Drive. Completion is expected by the end of 2017.
“Following on the success of Phase I, it’s great to see the Züm project moving forward,” said MP Seeback. “This rapid transit system will help increase economic growth and will improve the quality of life for residents of Brampton by providing a more efficient transit option, while cutting commute times and taking more cars off the road.”
“Building transit helps create jobs now and in the future and helps people move safely and more easily. This is part of the Ontario government's economic plan to invest in people, invest in infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate,” said MPP Dhillon. “By improving transit, people will spend less time commuting and more time with their families.
“Züm is a leading example of Brampton working with the provincial and federal governments to deliver real results for families, students, small business owners – and all residents,” said Mayor Fennell. “Brampton’s modern, creative and competitive economy relies on world-class transit, like Züm. Our popular and extensive bus-rapid transit network is moving people faster and more efficiently throughout Brampton and the GTHA.”
Phase II will see Züm service launch along Bovaird Drive from the Mount Pleasant GO station to Airport Road in 2014. In 2015, Züm service will launch on Steeles Avenue, west of the new Brampton Gateway Terminal to the Lisgar GO station in Mississauga. And, in 2016, Züm service will launch along Queen Street, west of the Downtown Terminal to the Mount Pleasant GO station (via Mississauga Road).
Phase I included construction of BRT lines on Queen Street completed in September 2010, Main Street completed in September 2011, and Steeles Avenue completed in fall 2012. In addition, Phase I included the purchase of twenty 60-foot articulated buses that can carry 40 per cent more passengers than the traditional 40-foot buses.
The Government of Canada has committed up to $95 million for both phases of Brampton’s plan. The Province of Ontario has already provided its contribution of $95 million, and the City of Brampton will fund the remaining $95 million in total project costs.
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Contacts:
Ashley Kelahear
Senior Communications Advisor
Transport Canada
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Patrick Searle
Minister’s Office
Ontario Minister of Transportation
Toronto
416-327-1815
Bob Nichols
Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Toronto
416-327-1158
Megan McRae
Coordinator, Mainstream Media
City of Brampton
905-874-3654
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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