Transit investments by the governments of Canada and British Columbia improve safety and help more people connect

From: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

News release

Victoria, British Columbia, October 30, 2023 — Communities across British Columbia will receive new buses and see important upgrades to public transit infrastructure, thanks to an investment of more than $248.5 million from the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and BC Transit. Announced by MP Wilson Miao, Minister Rob Fleming, and Erinn Pinkerton of BC Transit, these projects will increase public transit ridership and improve the commuter experience.

This investment will help BC Transit complete four separate vehicle acquisitions, purchasing approximately 210 Light Duty (LD) buses, 29 High Capacity (HC) diesel buses, 10 HC Battery Electric Buses (BEB), and 6 LD BEBs. The new vehicles will support both handyDART and conventional transit services and replace aging models that currently serve regional transit systems.

Funding will further support additional transit improvements across British Columbia. A component replacement initiative will extend the life, reliability, and safety of up to 377 high-capacity double-decker heavy and medium duty buses in BC Transit’s fleet through transmission, engine, differential, and driver seat (TED) replacements. Approximately 286 new and refitted bus shelters throughout B.C. will also provide transit users with comfort and safety in inclement weather.

In Kelowna, funding will support a design plan for a new operations and maintenance facility and complete upgrades to the existing Kelowna Transit Centre to support service expansion and a future battery electric bus fleet for the regional transit system.

The facility upgrades in Kelowna and the vehicles acquired in service areas throughout the province align with BC Transit’s plan to electrify its fleet by 2040 and the Province’s CleanBC emissions reduction goals.

The Government of Canada’s funding comes from the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.

Quotes

“Investing in public transit improvements supports our nation-wide commitment to make public transit robust, reliable, and a convenient travel option. The new and retrofitted bus shelters will improve commuters’ experience and comfort, while the transit centre plans and upgrades, bus acquisitions, and major bus component replacements will increase ridership and reduce our carbon footprint. Canada will continue to build strong public transit systems to help British Columbians, and all Canadians, get to where they need to go.”

Wilson Miao, Member of Parliament for Richmond Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“These investments are another great example of the Province, the federal government and BC Transit’s shared commitment to improving public transit and providing people with affordable alternative ways to travel. This funding will help transition to buses that use cleaner power sources, upgrade bus stop shelters, carry out critical maintenance activities and ensure that our transit exchanges are modern and efficient to accommodate future growth.”

The Honourable Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“Replacing our aging fleet, maintaining existing fleets and making sure our customers have transit shelters that make their experience a more comfortable one are all great projects being funded with this announcement. As we have now returned to our pre-pandemic ridership levels, the addition of more buses will continue to help us ensure transit remains the most convenient transportation solution for communities across the province. All these projects are made possible by all levels of government working together and I thank everyone involved in funding public transit.”

Erinn Pinkerton, President and Chief Executive Officer of BC Transit

Quick facts

  • The Government of Canada is investing $102,346,529 in these projects, while the Government of British Columbia is investing $99,246,529. BC Transit is contributing $46,923,263.

  • The $17,288,803 joint investment for 286 new and refitted bus shelters across B.C. builds on the original investment of $4,930,000 announced in 2021.

  • Including today’s announcement, 56 infrastructure projects or project bundles under the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream have been approved in B.C., with a total federal contribution of more than $2.5 billion and a total provincial contribution of nearly $3.9 billion.

  • The Government of Canada is investing $14.9 billion over the next eight years in reliable, fast, affordable, and clean public transit. This funding includes $3 billion per year in permanent, predictable federal public transit funding, which will be available to support transit solutions beginning in 2026-27.

  • Since 2015, the Government of Canada has announced an unprecedented investment of over $30 billion in thousands of transit projects in communities from coast to coast to coast.

  • Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government 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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Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

Kevin Collins
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
Kevin.Collins@infc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
Web: Infrastructure Canada

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250-356-8241

Media Relations
BC Transit
250-880-1303
media@bctransit.com

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