The Province is providing more than $900,000 in funding for new transit projects that will improve access and increase safety for families and transit users in communities across British Columbia.

Work includes new or improved bus shelters, improved access to shelters, new signage and various other enhancements designed to improve visibility and safety for passengers and buses. The new shelters will make waiting for the bus more comfortable in bad weather and will be designed and built based on the provincial Wood-First Initiative.

These projects are funded through the Provincial Transit Plan to provide safe, fast, comfortable and reliable transit services in B.C. communities.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom:

"We want to make it easier and more convenient for people to leave their cars at home and take public transit. These improvements will make transit more accessible and comfortable for commuters."

Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Ida Chong:

"All of these streets and highways that are receiving upgrades are essential routes for commuters here in Victoria. A growing population means more cars on the road and a focus on transit access and safety will benefit everyone in the Capital Regional District."

Richmond East MLA Linda Reid:

"The Highway 99 transit improvements at Massey Tunnel and Steveston Highway are yet two more ways we're enhancing the transit experience in Richmond. The Canada Line's phenomenal success is the most famous example of demand for transit in our area - a demand these projects will help meet."

Saanich North and the Islands MLA Murray Coell:

"Upgrades like this that increases safety while also improving access are always worthwhile traffic projects. Victoria is a growing city and traffic improvements are always welcome."

Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton:

"We are committed to making transit more accessible. These new bus bays will ensure riders, especially those with disabilities, will have safer, easier access to transportation along Lougheed Highway."

Quick Facts:

Some of the objectives of the Provincial Transit Plan include:

• Increase transit ridership across the province to over 400 million trips a year.

• Ease traffic congestion and make all our communities healthier places to live and easier places to get around.

• Provide transit riders with access to more buses, more often.

• Increase the hours of service.

• Increase seniors' mobility options and improve services for those with mobility challenges.

Learn More:

The Provincial Transit Plan: www.th.gov.bc.ca/Transit_Plan/index.html

A backgrounder follows.

BACKGROUNDER

Regional transit improvement projects

Lower Mainland

• Delta - new wheelchair accessible landing area and wheelchair ramps on Highway 17 at 52nd Avenue.

• Maple Ridge - new bus bay with wheelchair landing pad and wheelchair ramps on Lougheed Highway at 216th Street.

• New Westminster - new bus stop with wheelchair landing pad and wheelchair ramps, Howe Street at Highway 91 off ramp.

• Pitt Meadows - new bus bay with wheelchair landing pad and wheelchair ramps on Lougheed Highway at Kennedy Way and Lougheed Highway at Allan Way.

• Richmond

• Updated signals on Highway 99 at Massey Tunnel.

Adding phased signalling to accommodate left-turning buses on Highway 99 at Steveston Highway.

• Surrey - new wheelchair accessible landing area and wheelchair ramps and new retaining wall on Highway 10 at 192nd Street.

Okanagan Shuswap

• Enderby - new sign, shelter and bench on Highway 97 northbound near Stanley Avenue.

• District of Lake Country

• Relocation of bus stop to south of intersection at Highway 97S near Beaver Road.

• New retaining wall and pedestrian path on Highway 97N near Commonwealth Road.

• Extension of entrance and exit on Highway 97S near Commonwealth Road.

• District of Spallumcheen - new shelter, bench and sign on Highway 97S near Fortune Creek.

• Kelowna - new concrete pad on Highway 97N near Stafford Road.

• North Okanagan Regional District

• New shelter, bench and sign on Highway 97 northbound near Gardon Road.

• Improvements to the pullout, paving and new sign on McDonald Road near Norquay Road.

• Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen - new concrete pad and shelter on Naramata Road near Robinson Road.

Thompson Nicola

• Logan Lake - new bus shelter across from the mall parking lot on Highway 97D.

West Kootenay

• Five new bus shelters on Highway 3A between Nelson and Balfour (50/50 cost share with Regional District of Central Kootenay).

• Grade and pave seven existing bus stops at Highway 3B near Greater Trail RCMP office, Glenwood Motel and Beaver Falls Motel, Highway 22 near Fairview, Genelle, Blueberry and the Riverdale/Oasis turnoff.

• Three new bus shelters at 16th Avenue in Genelle, Highway 3B near Canadian Tire and Highway 3B in Fruitvale.

Skeena

• District of Port Edward - bear proof garbage cans and clear brush at bus shelters on Arterial Road.

• Thornhill

• New bus shelter, pad and paved access at River Drive and Clark Street.

• New pad for shelter and paved access on Century Street (between Paquette Avenue and Pine Avenue) and Muller Avenue (near Pine Park).

• Prince Rupert - new bus shelters on McBride Street (Highway 16) between 5th and 6th Avenues near park, library and Park Avenue (Highway 16) west of 11th Street near transit house.

Vancouver Island

• Colwood - two new accessible platforms, Veteran's Memorial Parkway at Kelly Road.

• Royal Oak - new bus shelters at Highway 17 at Royal Oak, northbound and southbound.

• upgrade transit signal priority technology along the Douglas corridor at intersections belonging to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 508-5506