BELLEVILLE, ON, Aug. 16,
2024 /CNW/ - Through six projects, Belleville is upgrading its public transit
services after a combined investment of over $12 million from the federal, provincial, and
municipal governments.
Belleville Transit is acquiring four 12-metre hybrid buses, a
seven-metre conventional bus, and two fully accessible hybrid vans
that can also serve as emergency mobility transport vehicles.
Additionally, the City will build a multi-use path in the Hydro One
transmission corridor and improve access to bus stops, with 1.5
kilometres of new sidewalk to support commuters. They will also
upgrade existing fareboxes to support more convenient payment
options, improve bus security, and increase accessibility at 10 bus
stops.
Details of each project can be found in the supporting
backgrounder.
Quotes
"This is fantastic news for Belleville! Investing in public transit
infrastructure is essential for our communities' economic
development. Increasing infrastructure for transit helps passengers
get to work, school, home and essential services. These
improvements keep our communities growing and thriving."
Mark Gerretsen, Member of
Parliament for Kingston and the
Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
"These significant investments in transit and active
transportation will improve quality of life and make it easier to
get around in the City of
Belleville. Renewing bus and van fleets, shelter
infrastructure and fare technology is integral to the transit
system, and I'm particularly excited about the new multi-use trail
network within the Hydro One corridor."
Todd Smith, Member of
Provincial Parliament for Bay of Quinte
"Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is
continuing to make historic investments in transit because we know
affordable, reliable and accessible transportation is the backbone
of Ontario's communities. Today's
announcement will help improve transportation across Belleville, making sure residents can get
where they need to go, when they need to get there."
Ric Bresee, Parliamentary
Assistant to the Minister of Transportation
"The City of Belleville is
committed to increasing accessibility and environmental initiatives
in our community, and it is exciting to know the federal and
provincial governments are invested in these initiatives as well.
This funding will support the expansion of our City as we continue
to grow and adapt to the needs of our residents."
Neil Ellis, Mayor of the
City of Belleville
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing $4,696,742 through the Public Transit
Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to support six
public transit projects in Belleville. The Government of Ontario is contributing $3,913,561 and the City
of Belleville is investing $4,164,698.
- This stream supports the building, expansion, and upgrading of
urban and rural transit networks.
- Since 2015, the federal government has committed over
$30 billion for public transit and
active transportation projects. These historic investments have
resulted in close to 2000 projects across the country.
- Under the Investing in Canada
Plan, the federal government 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.
- The federal government is renewing the Canada
Community-Building Fund (CCBF) and is investing $26.7 billion over the next ten years (2024-2034)
to support core infrastructure projects, including public transit.
Over the next five years, the CCBF will invest over $4.7 billion in Ontario, starting with $895 million in 2024-2025.
- The new Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) will provide an
average of $3 billion a year of
permanent funding to respond to local transit needs.
- We are currently accepting Expression of Interest submissions
for Metro-Region Agreements and Baseline Funding. Visit the
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada website for more
information.
- Ontario is investing nearly
$70 billion over the next decade to
build public transit. Belleville
will receive over $1 million in
funding through the 2023-24 Ontario Gas Tax program. The funding
can be used to expand service hours, increase routes, purchase new
vehicles and improve accessibility to increase transit
ridership.
Related Document
Backgrounder: Public transit investments in Belleville (link)
Associated Links
Investing in Canada:
Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure
Plan
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
Public Transit Infrastructure Stream
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/pti-itc-eng.html
Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/prog-proj-on-eng.html
Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities