No. H043/10
For release - April 20, 2010
MISSISSAUGA, ON — Patrick Brown, Member of Parliament for Barrie, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Ontario’s Transportation Minister, and Her Worship Susan Fennell, mayor of Brampton, today unveiled the first of Brampton Transit’s new fleet of Züm Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses at the Ontario Transportation Expo and Tradeshow.
“The unveiling of the Brampton Züm bus fleet is another step towards achieving our long-term transportation action plan for the Greater Toronto Area, which Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced in 2007,” said MP Brown. “The new Brampton Bus Rapid Transit service is a great benefit to the region: it is supporting the local economy today, providing families and businesses with greater transit options, reducing traffic congestion and supporting better air quality across the region.”
“The Ontario government has demonstrated its commitment to getting people out of cars and on transit by making the largest investment in public transit in a decade,” said Minister Wynne. “Our new Open Ontario plan will continue to improve public transportation, generate jobs, stimulate the economy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and congestion.”
“Unveiled for the first time today, our new Züm vehicles are stylish and contemporary, and provide a wide range of state-of-the-art features for our riders,” said Mayor Fennell. “The arrival of our first Züm bus is an exciting milestone for Brampton Transit, as we count down to our service launch in September. In just a few months, residents and visitors alike will see that Züm is the new environmentally friendly way to connect people to places within Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area.”
The new Xcelsior model BRT vehicles chosen for Brampton Züm are the first of their kind, and Brampton Transit will be the first service provider in North America to use them. Manufactured by New Flyer at its plant in Winnipeg, these buses feature clean hybrid diesel-electric technology and boast a 10- to 15-per-cent fuel reduction compared to conventional diesel vehicles. The new buses, designed to be lightweight and quiet, will provide a smooth, comfortable ride and a reliable, convenient service for passengers.
The $285-million Brampton Züm project is being delivered in two phases, and the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Brampton are equal funding partners. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $95 million through the FLOW program. The Province of Ontario has already advanced its contribution of $95 million. The City of Brampton will fund the remaining $95 million in total project costs.
Phase 1 includes the construction of three Bus Rapid Transit lines with scheduled completion by September 2010, September 2011 and September 2012, and significant relocations/redesigns of two terminals with scheduled completion by September 2010 and September 2011. Work is ongoing, and future events will be held to mark important construction milestones.
This project also falls under FLOW, the Government of Canada’s transportation action plan for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The plan is designed to reduce congestion, cut commute times, help clear the air and help drive the economy in the GTA.
Funding for the Brampton Züm project was announced on September 18, 2009. For more information, visit www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-nat-2009-09-h131e-4117.htm.
For more information on Ontario’s transit investments, visit www.ontario.ca/transportation-news.
A backgrounder with additional information on funding for FLOW and Brampton Züm is attached.
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Contacts:
James Kusie
Director of Issues Management and
Parliamentary Affairs
Office of Canada's Transport Minister
John Baird
Ottawa
613-991-0700
Derek Luk
Minister’s Office
Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Toronto
416-327-1815
Ian Newman
Mayor’s Office
City of Brampton
905-874-2628
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Bob Nichols
Communications
Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Toronto
416-327-1158
Joanna Bailey
Senior Advisor, Communications
City of Brampton
905-874-2837
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.
FLOW
FLOW, the Government of Canada’s transportation action plan for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), is designed to reduce congestion, cut commute times, help clear the air and help drive the economy in the GTA.
It consists of key transportation infrastructure projects that are being funded and built in the short to medium term. In most cases, the projects are being cost-shared by the three levels of government — federal, provincial and municipal.
The projects were selected following consultations with the Province of Ontario, mayors in the GTA, regional chairs, municipal councillors and various community groups.
This plan was developed to help enhance the quality of life for residents and help businesses increase efficiency by keeping people, traffic and goods FLOWing in the largest metropolitan area in Canada.
The FLOW transit infrastructure projects include the Brampton Züm project.
Brampton Züm (formerly AcceleRide)
This project involves the construction of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system along Brampton’s key east-west, north-south corridors and provides a direct link to Mississauga, York Region and Toronto.
The Government of Canada has committed up to $95 million, while the Province of Ontario has already provided $95 million. The City of Brampton will fund the remaining $95 million in total project costs.
The project will be constructed in two phases. The first phase is expected to be complete by 2012 with three BRT lines (Queen Street in 2010, Main Street in 2011 and Steeles Avenue in 2012). The second phase will be complete by 2021.
Other GTA Transit Projects
Mississauga Transitway
This project involves the construction of an east-west dedicated bus right of way across the City of Mississauga between Winston Churchill Boulevard and Renforth Drive. This project will improve local and inter-regional bus operations across the City of Mississauga. A total of 11 stations will be constructed along the route.
The Government of Canada has committed up to $83 million to the project. The Province of Ontario has provided the City of Mississauga with $65 million through MoveOntario to support the project and has committed to providing an additional $48 million in Metrolinx investments.
The project is expected to be complete by 2012.
Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension
The existing Spadina subway line will be extended by 8.6 kilometres through York University to the Vaughan Corporate Centre.
The Government of Canada is committing up to $697 million towards the eligible project costs. The Province of Ontario provided $870 million through MoveOntario for this project. The City of Toronto and Regional Municipality of York previously committed their contributions and are responsible for the remainder of the project costs.
The total cost of the subway extension is estimated at $2.6 billion; it is expected to be complete by 2015.
York Region Viva Phase 2 (vivaNext)
The Viva rapid transit system will be enhanced through the construction of dedicated BRT lane systems along the Yonge Street and Highway 7 corridors.
The Government of Canada has committed up to $85 million towards eligible project costs.
VivaNext is a priority in Metrolinx’s regional transportation plan for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The Province of Ontario has committed up to $1.4 billion to vivaNext through MoveOntario.
FLOW also includes three highway projects. The Province of Ontario determines the appropriate financing and delivery for:
- extending Highway 407 east to Highway 35/115;
- widening Highway 7 in Durham Region; and
- extending Highway 404.
April 2010
