Canada and Ontario invest in public transit and active transportation infrastructure for Southwestern Ontario residents

News release

St. Thomas, Ontario, August 5, 2020—The safety and well-being of Canadians are top priorities of the governments of Canada and Ontario. But the COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than Canadians’ personal health, it is also having a profound impact on the economy.

That is why governments have been taking decisive action to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done.

Ontarians need help getting safely to work and home, getting out to appointments, to shop and to conduct business. Strategic investments in sustainable public transportation infrastructure play a key role.

Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities;

the Honourable Jeff Yurek, Ontario’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks and Member of Provincial Parliament for Elgin–Middlesex–London on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; and his Worship Joe Preston, Mayor of the City of St. Thomas, announced funding for 11 projects that will modernize and improve transit around Southwestern Ontario.

In St. Thomas, a new fleet of 14 zero-emission buses, along with new software systems and upgraded passenger amenities will offer public transit users an improved ridership experience and greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Chatham-Kent public transit will add 10 new transit vehicles to expand service levels and will upgrade its systems to include real-time location technology and new fare system technology. Additionally, upgrades to Chatham-Kent’s main bus terminal and the installation of six solar powered bus shelters will further accommodate transit riders and advance the municipality’s commitment to the environment.  

In Hanover, 11 new vehicles will increase the transit system’s capacity. LaSalle public transit users will benefit from the installation of bike lockers at various locations, which will encourage active transportation and improve connections to bus stops. Leamington will replace two buses at the end of their lifecycle with two new buses that offer more seating. The installation and resurfacing of pedestrian and bike baths in Point Edward will provide residents with safe active transportation routes. West Elgin will add a new paratransit van with a wheelchair lift, improving accessibility for residents who rely on the service every week.

In Woodstock, the purchase of two new buses, the expansion of a bus garage and storage facility, as well as the construction of an automatic washing facility will improve the quality of service for public transit users and extend the lifespan of the buses.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $6.7 million in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Ontario is providing more than $5.6 million. The municipalities are contributing more than $3.9 million in total. 

Additional multimedia

St. Thomas bus driver at work in a paratransit vehicle
New zero-emission buses for St. Thomas

Quotes

 “Canadians rely on public transit to get to work, run errands, and access the services they need. In St. Thomas a new fleet of 14 zero-emission buses, along with new software systems and upgraded passenger amenities will offer public transit users an improved ridership experience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Canada’s Infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds stronger communities.”

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“I am proud that the federal and provincial governments recognize the unique infrastructural needs of communities like Elgin-Middlesex-London and are committed to making transit more accessible and rider friendly. These projects will allow for more residents to access public transit and conveniently travel to jobs, businesses, and all of the great places to relax and have fun in the region.”

The Honourable Jeff Yurek, Ontario’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks and Member of Provincial Parliament for Elgin–Middlesex–London on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure

“The contribution from the Federal and Provincial governments will help us implement some upgrades that we have been planning for our transit system. The main components of the plan include increased service to 15 minute buses on Talbot Street, route revisions to cover highest density transit use, earlier and later hour service on weekdays, added Sunday service, updated hub and branding, new fleet and a new fare system.”

His Worship Joe Preston, Mayor of St. Thomas

“Chatham-Kent is committed to developing a transit system that is safe, affordable, reliable and accessible and this funding is essential to that goal. By helping us purchase vehicles, rehabilitate our shelters and upgrade our technology, Infrastructure Canada is an important partner in providing this vital service to our residents. We are extremely grateful for the support and partnership.”

His Worship Darrin Canniff, Mayor of Chatham-Kent

“Continued rapid growth of the Friendly City has resulted in un-serviced residential areas where public transit service is not available. Expansion of the transit system will provide public transit service to currently un-serviced residential and employment areas of the City. Expansion of the transit service requires additional buses, expansion of the bus storage and bus maintenance areas, as well as new software to assist in transit operations and to improve the information available for our passengers. We wish to extend our appreciation to our federal and provincial partners for the financial assistance offered to make these improvements a reality for our community.”

His Worship Trevor T. Birch, Mayor of the City of Woodstock

Quick facts

  • Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

  • $28.7 billion of this funding is supporting public transit projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank. 

  • The Government of Canada has invested more than $7.7 billion in over 2,500 infrastructure projects across Ontario under the Investing in Canada plan. 

  • Across the province, Ontario is investing more than $7.3 billion in public transit infrastructure over 10 years through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

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Contacts

Chantalle Aubertin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-941-0660
chantalle.aubertin@canada.ca

Christine Bujold
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure
416-454-1782
christine.bujold@ontario.ca

Sofia Sousa-Dias
Communications Branch
Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure
437-991-3391
sofia.sousa-Dias@ontario.ca

Justin Lawrence
Director of Environmental Services
City of St. Thomas
519-631-1680 ext. 4165
jlawrence@stthomas.ca

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
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Web: Infrastructure Canada

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