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