New funding keeps city buses rolling
Upper-tier government pitches in $200,000 for 12 new diesel engines for St. Catharines Transit
A dozen St. Catharines Transit buses will be rolling along the city’s streets, equipped with new diesel engines under their hoods thanks to new upper-tier government funding.
St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle teamed up with Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure Monte McNaughton and Mayor Walter Sendzik, Friday morning, announcing up to $400,000 in joint funding to pay for the replacement of 12 diesel engines in the city’s fleet of buses — ensuring they continue to provide reliable service for riders for years to come.
“Investments in public transit are important,” Bittle said while announcing the funding on behalf of Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Francois-Philippe Champagne. “In Niagara, we know all too well the barriers of not owning a car are present with individuals.”
He said the federal government is providing up to $200,000 of the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund investment through its agreement with the government of Ontario. The rest is to be contributed by the city.
“As Niagara moves towards a more integrated transit system, it’s important that transit authorities have the equipment they need now, and they will need in the future. Today’s announcement is exactly about that,” Bittle said.
If Niagara can develop its integrated transit system, Sendzik later added, “the level of prosperity will be increased in our community. We’ll be able to tackle issues like poverty because right now people feel they can’t get to their jobs, they can’t get to that next level of employment because they don’t know how to pay for that transportation.”
“That’s how we’re putting people first and that’s how we’re making sure we’re a prosperous community for everyone.”
McNaughton, the MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, said helping fund the new diesel engines “is the kind of infrastructure investment that truly makes a difference for families and for businesses.”
“Our government knows investments in public transit are critical to ensure our economy is growing and thriving and moving people quickly and efficiently,” he added.
Sendzik said a “strong transit system means that we can get people to their health care, to Brock University, Niagara College, to their jobs and that creates more prosperity across the community.”
Bittle also pointed out that the expanded garage at the St. Catharines transit building on First Street Louth was paid for with provincial and federal infrastructure funding, announced almost a year ago as part of a 10-year $148-million commitment to help eight Niagara municipalities develop transportationrelated projects.
Sendzik, too, noted that uppertier governments are showing that when communities make a strong case, “they’re stepping up to the plate to make those investments.”
“That’s what this building stands for today. That’s what the diesel engines stand for … and the people who make sure these buses run on time. That’s where these investments are going.”
In addition, St. Catharines will receive $2.6-million in provincial gas tax funding this year.