St. John’s Residents to Benefit from Improved Public Transit

The governments of Canada and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador are making infrastructure investments that will help create jobs, grow the middle class, and support a high standard of living for Canadians and their families for years to come.

Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Dave Lane, St. John’s Councillor at Large announced over $761,000 towards improving the public transit service in St. John’s.

The governments of Canada and St. John’s are both contributing over $380,000 for four projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

The projects range from the addition of wheelchair accessible transit shelters to the installation of a new tire balancing machine to allow for in-house servicing, and a high tech computer system to improve overall system reliability and functionality.

These critical upgrades will modernize the existing bus fleet, improve rider experience, and establish a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable public transportation system for the people of St. John’s.
 
Quotes

“The Government of Canada recognizes how important investing in public transit infrastructure is to building strong, sustainable communities and creating economic growth. This funding will support a modern and accessible public transportation in St. John’s, improving service and providing a better commuting experience for all transit customers, every day.”
- Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
 
“The City of St. John's is pleased to contribute over $380,870 to help improve accessibility and efficiency of our transportation system. The comprehensive transportation review, accessible shelters, and technological upgrades will make a positive difference in our community and in the lives of our residents for many years to come.”
- Councillor Dave Lane, City of St. John’s
 
Quick facts

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will invest 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 will support public transit projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• These investments complement the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a 2-year federal-provincial action plan aimed at stimulating economic growth in the region through five priority areas:
  • Skilled workforce/Immigration;
  • Innovation;
  • Clean growth and climate change;
  • Trade and investment;
  • Infrastructure. 

Associated links

Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Newfoundland and Labrador: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html

Atlantic Growth Strategy: http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/ags-sca/Eng/atlantic-growth.html
 
 
Media Contacts:
 
Kate Monfette
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-301-0894
kate.monfette@canada.ca
 
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca
 
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

BACKGROUNDER

Joint federal-municipal funding will support five transit projects in St. John’s under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.
 
The Government of Canada is providing up to $380,870 towards these projects, representing 50 per cent of the total eligible costs. The City of St. John’s will provide the remainder of funding.