Nearly a dozen transit projects across southwestern Ontario, including a $4.6 million fleet of zero emission buses in St. Thomas, are getting a combined $12.3 million investment from the federal and provincial governments.
The funding, announced Wednesday, also covers new public transit vehicles in Chatham-Kent, Hanover and Leamington and a variety of other infrastructure upgrades.
There are 11 projects in total:
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A fleet of 14 zero emission buses in St Thomas.
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Five buses and five accessible vans in Chatham-Kent
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Real time location and new fare technology in Chatham-Kent
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Upgrades to bus terminal & six solar powered bus shelters in Chatham-Kent
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Eight vans and three buses in Hanover
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Ten bike lockers in LaSalle
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Two new replacement buses in Leamington
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Resurfacing and installing bike and pedestrian paths in Point Edward
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Accessible van with wheelchair lift in West Elgin
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Two new buses, infrastructure upgrades, bus storage facility expansion in Woodstock
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Bus washing facility in Woodstock
The federal government is contributing 6.7 million toward the initiatives, the province is investing 5.6 million, and municipalities are pitching in 3.9 million.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than Canadians’ personal health, it is also having a profound impact on the economy,” said a statement from the province, issued Wednesday.
“Ontarians need help getting safely to work and home, getting out to appointments, to shop and conduct business. Strategic investments in sustainable public transportation infrastructure play a key role.”
