Office of the Premier
The Government of Canada remains committed to making significant investments in infrastructure that will improve our public transit systems, strengthen Canadian communities, and help grow the economy.
Today, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and Premier Christy Clark announced that an agreement has been reached that will result in more than $900 million being invested – by the Government of Canada, British Columbia, and municipalities – in public transit projects across the province.
The agreement made today will reduce congestion and commute times, so that Canadian families can spend less time on the road, and more time with their loved ones. The investments will be used to expand bus lanes, add new railcars to the SkyTrain, and deliver the fixes that our transit systems have needed for decades.
Investing in public transit creates good, well-paying jobs that can help the middle class grow and prosper today. When well-planned infrastructure makes it easier for middle class Canadians to get to work on time, bring their kids to soccer practice, or go to the grocery store, the entire economy benefits.
Metro Vancouver TransLink Phase 1 of Investing in Canada includes:
- The purchase of additional SkyTrain vehicles for the Expo, Millennium, and Canada Lines
- A new West Coast Express locomotive
- A new SeaBus
- Upgrades to SkyTrain stations
- Design and planning for Rapid Transit South of Fraser and the Millennium Line Extension along Broadway
BC Transit Phase 1 of Investing in Canada includes:
- Investments in new bus depots, maintenance yards and operations facilities, as well as in new CNG fueling stations, in communities across the province.
- New and more efficient buses, including cleaner burning CNG-fueled buses, and new buses for handyDART service expansion.
- New technologies to make the fleet safer for drivers and passengers and to give BC Transit and local communities’ ridership information that will make them become even more efficient.
(flickr.com) Quotes:
Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada -
“Canadians have asked us to reduce congestion and commute times in their cities. This investment in public transit will help the people of British Columbia get home to their loved ones faster. It will also help to grow the middle class by improving business flows in municipalities while reducing environmental damage.”
Hon. Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia -
“British Columbia is leading Canada, and as our economy continues to grow, transit infrastructure needs to keep pace. This investment will help meet rising demand, ease congestion, lower our carbon footprint, and enhance our quality of life.”
Learn more:
Premier's statement: Bilateral transit funding
Full news release: Prime Minister announces new infrastructure agreement with British Columbia (pm.gc.ca)
Backgrounder: Infrastructure agreement with British Columbia under new Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (pm.gc.ca)
