Better Public Transit for Prince George Thanks to Federal and Provincial Funding

PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - July 19, 2016) - Infrastructure Canada

Safe, modern and efficient public infrastructure ensures the well-being of British Columbia communities. The governments of Canada and British Columbia are committed to supporting infrastructure that help get people to good paying jobs and back to their families after a hard day's work.

Premier Christy Clark and Kelowna-Lake Country MP Stephen Fuhr, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, today unveiled details for projects totalling almost $160 million in federal and provincial funding for BC Transit projects. The funding will support new facilities, buses, and technologies that will improve safety for passengers and drivers and make taking public transit more convenient and efficient.

The MLA for Prince George-Valemont, Shirley Bond, accompanied the Mayor of Prince George, Lyn Hall, to announce the BC Transit projects that will benefit the City of Prince George.

For Prince George, this means the addition of modern buses with improved technology including closed circuit TV to improve the safety of passengers and drivers, real-time information for accuracy and precision, and automatic passenger counters that will enable BC Transit to optimize service delivery based on gathered data.

Prince George is also set to receive a boost to its transit infrastructure with a new and expanded operations and maintenance facility that will support a fleet of cleaner burning compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. The $23 million project will position Prince George to meet a growing demand for transit in addition to improving operational efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The funding announced today will also benefit the Prince George handyDART system, which is receiving two replacement handyDART buses in 2017. BC Transit will be working with the community and seniors groups in the community to ensure the 900 hours of handyDART service available in the city is fully used. This will mean reliable transportation for people who cannot use conventional transit.

Today's announcement follows the recent signature of a bilateral agreement with British Columbia that will result in more than $900 million being invested by the Government of Canada, British Columbia, and municipalities, in public transit projects across the province.

Quick Facts

• Federal funding of these projects comes from the new Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, part of Phase 1 of Investing in Canada that will provide over $10 billion in investments to support public transit systems, green infrastructure projects, and social infrastructure projects. Details on Phase 2 of Investing in Canada will be announced over the next year.

• BC Transit will continue to work with local governments to identify additional projects for funding consideration.

• In partnership with local governments, BC Transit provides access to public transit to more than 1.6 million British Columbians in 130 communities outside Metro Vancouver. As a result of the Province's commitment to transit in B.C., communities with as few as 1,000 people have access to transit, making BC Transit a unique service for smaller communities anywhere in Canada.

• The province currently provides the highest level of operating funding, per capita, for transit in Canada.

Quotes

"Public infrastructure connects people, supports job creation, and boosts economic development. This is why the Government of Canada is providing unprecedented funding for public infrastructure projects that will help grow the middle class and promote sustainable development and long-term prosperity in communities across the country. By financing projects like the Prince George Operations and Maintenance CNG Facility, and other BC transit projects, we will build the Canada of the 21st century and ensure a high quality of life for generations to come."

Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country. On behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

"We know that increasing transit options is an important priority for many Prince George residents. This investment will help meet rising demand while at the same time lowering our carbon footprint. There will be an improved fleet, better protection for drivers and more real time information for passengers. We also welcome an expanded operations and maintenance facility. I have heard from seniors about the need for Expanded handyDART service and I am proud we can deliver improved service as part of this package of transit enhancements."

Shirley Bond, MLA of Prince George-Valemont and Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training.

"Public safety on our B.C. transit systems is a fundamental priority for both passengers and drivers. The investment in technological upgrades including the closed circuit TV and real-time information are vital and a welcome improvement to ensuring increased security for all. Safer travels for the citizens of Prince George is good news and another great reason to utilize public transit in the community."

Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-MacKenzie and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

"This investment in a new transit operations facility for Prince George is vital for the growth of our community as it helps to implement our Transit Future Plan and its community-identified priorities for transit improvements. It also furthers transit's environmentally sustainable operations by allowing us to leverage new vehicle technologies such as CNG buses."

Lyn Hall, Mayor of Prince George.

"These investments will meet the growing transit needs in Prince George. The new facility will support CNG buses which will benefit the environment and reduce operating costs."

Manuel Achadinha, President and CEO of BC Transit.

Associated links

Details on the 11 BC Transit projects announced earlier today.

To see progress on federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia: Infrastructure Projects in British Columbia.

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $120 billion infrastructure plan.

Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect.

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada