Three levels of government have dedicated more than $40 million to the future of Barrie’s transit system that will see five different projects completed through the funding partnership announced today.
The federal government is investing more than $16 million in the project through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS), which is part of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. Meanwhile, the provincial government is contributing more than $13.6 million and the City of Barrie is chipping in more than $10.9 million.
The money will be used to replace 30 city buses, including 21 that will be specialized for people with accessibility needs, as well as build the long-awaited new transit hub at the Allandale Waterfront GO Station.
On Monday, Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman was joined in a virtual press conference by federal Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Mary Ng, Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey, and city transit director Brent Forsyth to make the infrastructure commitment.
While there are many ways the money will help Barrie Transit, Lehman said the 30 new buses is key to the commitment.
“The potential to expand the system now is enormous and the timing of this investment is perfect,” said the mayor. “The number of buses is, frankly, staggering, and that is the bulk of the money being announced today.”
In addition to the replacement of the city’s fleet with 30 low-floor, accessible busses, transit users with accessibility needs will benefit from the purchase of 21 new specialized para-transit city buses, which will replace the existing fleet over the next seven years.
Ng spoke to the federal government’s commitment to helping Canadians navigate not only through their daily activities, but also as the country reopens from the current health crisis.
“Now, more than ever, we must invest in our communities,” she said. “The federal government is investing over $16 million in projects that will help Barrie’s public transit system become more accessible and more sustainable. This will help Canadians get to work faster, run errands easier, and access the essential services they need in their community.”
A new transit hub at the Allandale Waterfront station and a new connection hub downtown will also offer transit users improved access to a more integrated public transit system.
More bus stops and platforms, as well as additional bicycle parking, will make it easier for residents to access the public transit system.
Downey says many people use transit for leisure and errands, but discussed how all levels of government are committed to making life easier for those trying to get to and from work.
“This is a really huge investment for our area and I’m really pleased that all three levels of government have the same vision,” said Downey, who called today's funding announcement "transformational" for the city's transit system.
“I know the mayor recently talked about our good job numbers and our infrastructure needs to match that; we need to keep that going," Downey added. "It's not an accident that we have good job numbers. It's because we’re building the infrastructure to facilitate that.”
Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public-transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities. Almost $29 billion of this funding is supporting public-transit projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
Across the province, Ontario is investing more than $7 billion in public-transit infrastructure over 10 years through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
