Public Transit improvements to benefit residents in Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview

MONCTON, NB, Oct. 12, 2017 /CNW/ - Investing in public infrastructure supports efficient, affordable and sustainable transit services that help Canadians get to work, school and essential services on time and back home safely at the end of a long day. The governments of Canada and New Brunswick are making investments that will help create well-paying jobs and grow the middle class now while building a strong foundation for a sustainable economic future.

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Cathy Rogers, New Brunswick Minister of Finance, and Angela Allain, General Manager of Codiac Transpo today marked the arrival of 19 new, modernized buses to expand and improve the local Codiac Transpo fleet.

The Government of Canada contributed almost $2.4 million through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund for the purchase of eight new buses. An additional eleven buses were bought through a $2.7 million contribution from the Provincial Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects program. The Province is contributing up to $1.8 million for these additional buses, and the municipalities of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview are providing the rest of the funding.

Built to current environmental standards, and clean diesel technology, the new buses will use less fuel and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Public transit riders in these communities will also benefit from more accessible and reliable public transit services.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is working closely with provincial and municipal partners to make strategic infrastructure investments that support middle-class jobs and economic growth. Helping Canadians get to and from their daily activities quickly and easily is essential to creating strong communities and fostering long-term prosperity. These new buses will offer improved transit services for residents in the Moncton area and help protect our environment."

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"This is an example of the Government of Canada working in partnership with New Brunswick to support and strengthen communities across the province. Our government is committed to making possible new transit options and infrastructure that is aligned with our goals of promoting economic activity and creating jobs."

Cathy Rogers, New Brunswick Minister of Finance

"The new buses will replace some of our aging fleet and will improve the overall rider experience, particularly for those with mobility issues. Active transportation and lowering greenhouse gas emissions are key pieces for our city's sustainable future. Provincial and federal government contributions toward these purchases were critical."

Dawn Arnold, Mayor of Moncton

"We are pleased to announce that, thanks to support from the federal and provincial governments, we will be replacing a bus and adding one to our fleet, which will also now be accessible. These additions will allow us to better serve our residents."

Yvon Lapierre, Mayor of Dieppe

"This funding by the federal and provincial government allows us to upgrade our current fleet to ensure our residents have safe and efficient access to public transportation services, which residents identified as a priority in the town's Envision Riverview Community Sustainability Plan."

Ann Seamans, Mayor of Riverview

Quick facts

• 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.
• $25.3 billion of this funding will support public transit projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017:
http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html#Toc477707375

Federal infrastructure investments in New Brunswick: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/nb-eng.html

Public Transit Infrastructure Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/ptif-fitc-eng.php

New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component, National and Regional Projects: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada