New fare collection methods and up to 118 new buses are two of the public transit improvements underway in B.C. with the help of federal funding announced in Langford on Friday.
Patty Hajdu, federal minister of employment, workforce development and labour, was in town to announce $136 million will be spent on five transit projects jointly funded with the provincial government and local governments.
Ottawa will contribute $60.4 million, the province $52.7 million and local governments $23.8 million.
The money, which has yet to be specifically allocated to B.C. communities, will fund things such as new buses, refurbishment of existing ones, cashless fare-collection systems, GPS tracking and new transit shelters.
“Investing in public transit helps build healthy communities, grow our economy and strengthen the middle class,” Hajdu said.
“Together we are making positive changes for the economy and the environment.”
Friday’s announcement is part of the federal government’s “Investing in Canada” plan that has pledged $180 billion over 12 years for public infrastructure beginning in 2016.
Public transit has been singled out for $28.7 billion of this money.
