Manitoba, February 13, 2019—Investing in public transit infrastructure provides people with efficient, sustainable transportation options. It helps reduce traffic congestion, improve the air we breathe and get Manitobans home faster at the end of a long day.
Today, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development, joined the Honourable Jeff Wharton, Minister of Municipal Relations, to announce funding for six projects to improve the City of Brandon's public transit infrastructure.
These projects include providing paratransit users with better route mapping and an automated notification system to remind them of their scheduled trips. A new fence along the east and west sides of the Transit Terminal will also go up to reduce pedestrian traffic in the path of moving buses, and safety and accessibility improvements will be made at bus stops across the City.
Brandon Transit will also improve its on-board services by installing a new automated stop announcement system that provides clearly audible and visible notifications for passengers. And finally, fiber optics will be put in place to connect the Transit Station with the City's high speed network and allow for interactive displays of schedules, notices and bus locations, as well as new security cameras.
Once complete, these dynamic projects will significantly improve the rider experience and make public transit more a more convenient, accessible and appealing choice for local residents.
"These extensive enhancements will make transit services across Brandon safer, more efficient and more convenient—even from the comfort of some users' homes! In turn, this will encourage more people to leave their cars in their driveways, helping reduce greenhouse gases and improve the air we breathe."
The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development
"Our government is pleased to be working with the City of Brandon and municipalities across the Province on important public transit infrastructure projects to ensure efficient public transportation, one of the backbones of thriving cities. Manitoba has a demonstrated history of supporting investment in infrastructure through successful partnerships with both Canada and our municipal partners, providing $650 thousand to eleven City of Brandon transit projects."
The Honourable Jeff Wharton, Minister of Municipal Relations
"The projects we've undertaken thanks to this funding contribution will improve safety at bus stops, augment the physical accessibility of our transit system, and provide a higher level of convenience, resulting in an overall better user experience for all Brandon transit riders."
His Worship Rick Chrest, Mayor of Brandon
Quick facts
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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.
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$28.7 billion of this funding is supporting public transit projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
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The Government of Canada is providing $520,000 for these projects under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, representing 50 per cent of the total eligible costs. The City of Brandon is providing $482,500 for the six projects, and the Province of Manitoba is providing $37,500 for the Transit Shelters Lighting Project.
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Including these projects, there are 64 approved and announced projects in Manitoba under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, totalling approximately $139 million in eligible projects costs. Of these costs, the Government of Canada is providing $69.5 million, the Manitoba Government $27.6 million and municipalities $41.9 million.
