$78M being invested in Niagara's public transportation system

CKTB-NEWS-St.Catharines Bus Transit

The federal government is giving Niagara over $30M to improve transit in the region, while the province is also chipping in $26M.

The joint federal, provincial, and municipal funding was announced today.

Through the 'Investing in Canada' infrastructure plan 31 public transit projects in Niagara will be funded.

The Government of Canada is investing over $31 million, the Government of Ontario is contributing more than $26 million, while the municipalities are contributing over $21 million.

Some of the projects include new buses, security cameras, building bike lanes, renovating terminals - including the downtown St. Catharines hub- and construction of a new transit facilities in Welland and Niagara Falls.

Here is a full list of the 31 projects:

Community

Project Name

Project Details

Federal Funding

Provincial Funding

Municipal / Other Funding

Fort Erie

Farebox Technology Integration

New farebox technology will allow riders to use one method of payment to access all of the transit systems in the Niagara Region, improving the quality of the public transit system.

$154,000

$128,321

$115,930

Niagara Falls

Bridge Street Multi-Modal Hub

Construction of a multi-modal hub that will increase access to local transit and transportation alternatives for visitors and commuters using the GO regional transit system to get to and from Niagara Falls. This project will create a gateway entrance for commuters and visitors, keeping pedestrians safe in a traffic-centric location.

$1,760,000

$1,466,520

$1,173,480

Niagara Falls

Extension of Parking and Storage Facilities

Expansion of the bus fleet parking facility will create additional indoor parking spaces for buses, increasing their longevity by reducing their exposure to the elements.  

$1,540,000

$1,283,205

$1,026,795

Niagara Falls

Fuel System Upgrade

The installation of a new fuel and fluid tracking system, as well as various repairs to public transit vehicle equipment will facilitate fleet expansion and improve the efficiency of fueling procedures, allowing for passengers to enjoy a higher quality experience.

$88,000

$73,326

$58,674

Niagara Falls

Implementation of New Farebox System

Purchase of a new farebox system will allow customers to use one method of contactless payment to access all of the transit systems in the Niagara Region, enhancing customer experience and improving the overall quality of the transit system.

$440,000

$366,630

$293,370

Niagara Falls

In-Ground 3 Post Hoist

Purchase and installation of an in-ground hoist for bus repair, which will increase the efficiency and productivity of vehicle maintenance, resulting in a better experience for transit users.

$198,000

$164,984

$132,017

Niagara Falls

Layby Construction on Morrison St.

Construction of new bus parking/holding facilities will alleviate capacity pressure on the existing transit hub facility and improve the overall quality of the transit service.

$220,000

$183,315

$146,685

Niagara Falls

Purchase of an Automotive Lift

Purchase of an automotive lift for buses will maintain the useful life of the vehicles while enhancing safety and productivity, increasing the efficiency and quality of the public transit system.

$17,600

$14,665

$11,735

Niagara Falls

Radio Communications and Vehicle Location Systems Upgrade

Upgrading the transit fleet's radio communications and location systems will improve communication protocols, bettering the quality of service for passengers.

$352,000

$293,304

$234,696

Niagara Falls

Refurbishment of Four Conventional Transit Buses

Refurbishment of four transit buses will extend their useful life, reduce emissions, and improve the reliability of the transit system.

$330,000

$219,978

$110,022

Niagara Falls

Refurbishment of Six Conventional Transit Buses

Replacement of six bus transmissions which will improve fuel economy and transit reliability by lowering the need for maintenance. 

$34,100

$22,731

$11,369

Niagara Falls

Replacement of Six Conventional Transit Buses

Replacement of six aging diesel buses with newer and better equipped buses, reducing the need for maintenance and resulting in better accessibility for riders.

$1,870,000

$1,558,178

$1,246,822

Niagara Falls

Supervisor Vehicle

An additional supervisor support vehicle will improve access to health and safety services, and reduce equipment repair wait times, leading to better service standards for passengers.

$30,800

$25,664

$20,536

Niagara Falls

Transit Bus High-Definition (HD) Video Camera Systems

Installation of video surveillance equipment on public transit buses will improve the safety and security of operators and passengers.

$396,000

$329,967

$264,033

Niagara Falls

Video Surveillance Equipment (Regional/Local Hubs)

Installation of video surveillance equipment at the Morrison/ Dorchester transit hub will improve the safety and security of transit customers and employees.

$22,000

$18,332

$14,669

Port Colborne

City of Port Colborne Nickel Beach Bike Lane Project

A newly constructed bike lane will enhance the safety of cyclists and improve connections to bus stops, leading to increased capacity and a higher quality service for users of the public transit system.

$195,168

$162,624

$468,628

Regional Municipality of Niagara

Fare Payment Technology

Installation of new fareboxes on buses will enable riders to use one method of payment to access all of the transit systems across the Niagara Region, increasing the quality and convenience of the transit system.

$542,300

$451,871

$361,579

Regional Municipality of Niagara

Purchase of Two Expansion Buses

Purchasing two new buses with updated technology will enhance service frequency, and improve the capacity and quality of the transit system.

$660,000

$549,945

$440,055

Regional Municipality of Niagara

Technology Upgrades

Upgrade of 29 buses with new technology, including radio communication systems and security cameras will improve the quality and safety of the public transit system.

$313,490

$261,216

$209,019

St. Catharines

Downtown Terminal Renovations

Renovating the downtown public transit terminal will provide improved facilities for increased workforce, as well as better capacity and quality service for passengers.

$230,000

$191,648

$153,353

St. Catharines

Expansion of Conventional Bus Fleet

Addition of 10 new buses which will increase the capacity of the St. Catharines transit system to offer expanded hours of service for high demand routes. All of the new buses in the expansion fleet will be fully accessible, equipped with new farebox technology, surveillance cameras for increased safety, and location tracking technology for transit users to track the arrival of their buses in real-time.

$3,570,000

$2,974,703

$2,380,298

St. Catharines

Facility Expansion

Expansion of the existing operations facility to accommodate the growing transit system. An expanded maintenance and bus storage facility will accommodate the growing fleet. An expanded office will make room for future regional transit headquarters as transit operations in Niagara become fully integrated.

$3,933,000

$3,277,172

$2,622,328

St. Catharines

Improvements to Bus Stops and Shelters

Renovation of 100 bus stop shelters. The improvements will include new scheduling information, signage, and seating.

$840,000

$699,930

$560,070

St. Catharines

New Fare Payment Technology

New farebox technology system will allow customers to pay for their trip using contactless payment on the 89-vehicle bus fleet. The new technology will also be compatible with the regional fare system enabling riders to use one method of payment to access all of the transit systems across the Niagara Region, making it easier for them to get to their destinations.

$1,596,000

$1,329,867

$1,064,133

St. Catharines

Rehabilitation of Hybrid Buses

Replacement of the battery and the dual Power Inverter Module (DPIM) on four hybrid buses to extend their service life. These improvements will ensure the continued reliability of the City's low-emission Hybrid bus fleet.

$345,000

$229,977

$115,023

St. Catharines

Replacement of Conventional 12 metre Buses

Replacement of 11 buses in 2020 and 2021, improving service reliability. The new buses will help reduce maintenance costs and increase the performance of the transit system. All of the new buses in the expansion fleet will be fully accessible, equipped with new farebox technology, surveillance cameras for increased safety, and location tracking technology for transit users to track the arrival of their buses.

$3,528,000

$2,939,706

$2,352,294

St. Catharines

Replacement of Paratransit Vehicles

Replacement of four paratransit buses and one paravan, providing a more reliable and safer service. The replacement buses will reduce maintenance costs and increase the paratransit system performance. All vehicles will meet and exceed the highest accessibility standards, be equipped with new farebox technology, surveillance cameras for increased safety, and location tracking technology for transit users to track the arrival of their buses.

$491,400

$409,459

$327,641

St. Catharines

Replacement of Service Vehicles

Replacement of 11 old service vehicles will provide residents with better on-road maintenance and offer more efficient transit services.

$191,100

$159,234

$127,416

St. Catharines

Replacement of Vehicle Hoists

Purchase of permanent and portable hoists for a bus maintenance facility will mean improved bus maintenance and better, more reliable service.

$802,200

$668,433

$534,867

St. Catharines

Technology Upgrade

Installation of a new radio system and video surveillance system on 89 vehicles. An additional 30 radios will be used in other locations including terminal hubs, transportation offices, and supervisor, maintenance, and shuttle vehicles.

$1,029,000

$857,414

$686,086

Welland

Construction of Transit Operations Facility

Construction of a new transit operations facility will meet the needs of a growing public transit network. The new facility will provide space for maintaining and managing all conventional and specialized buses and staff training.

$6,000,000

$4,999,500

$4,000,500