Ontario Improving Transit in Barrie, Orillia, and Midland

Projects will increase ridership, improve rider experience and service

The Voice of Canada News:

Families and transit riders in Barrie, Orillia, and Midland can look forward to new buses, improved service, and a better transit experience, Premier Doug Ford announced.

Joined by Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North, and Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte, Premier Ford announced the province is investing nearly $20 million in 11 new transit projects under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), a 10-year, $30 billion fund to help municipalities repair or build critical infrastructure.

“Our government is making historic investments in infrastructure to make life easier and get people moving,” said Premier Ford. “When we build better transit in communities across Ontario like Barrie, Orillia and Midland, it boosts the local economy and municipalities can see increasing revenues that they can reinvest in frontline community services and programs. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Orillia projects

To provide a better transit experience and get people moving, the government is investing more than $5.4 million towards four Orillia projects, including:

• Nearly $3.7 million for a new transit terminal;
• Nearly $1.4 million to replace 7 buses;
• $226,000 for 30 accessible bus shelters; and
• $185,000 for a new fare system, security cameras and bike racks on 13 buses.

Midland projects

The government is further investing nearly $275,000 towards two Midland projects, including:

• More than $238,000 to replace three buses; and
• More than $36,500 for a new bus system to optimize ride scheduling and allow for greater accuracy in vehicle tracking.

“This funding is about more than just concrete and steel,” said Dunlop. “Projects like these, and Midland’s better bus tracking technology, will make commuting by bus more convenient than ever before.”

Barrie projects

The government is investing more than $13.6 million in five Barrie projects, including:

• Nearly $7.8 million to replace 30 buses;
• Nearly $3.3 million for the new Allandale Mobility Hub terminal that will connect to GO Transit;
• More than $1.5 million for 21 buses for people with disabilities;
• More than $900,000 to improve infrastructure, including 16 heated shelters, 100 bike racks, 750 new bus stop signs, and 135 shelters; and
• Nearly $110,000 for two new lay-by lane bus stops at the downtown transit hub to accommodate six buses at one time.

“Families in Barrie depend on reliable and efficient public transportation,” said Downey. “When we invest in smart infrastructure, we create jobs and grow the economy, shaping the future for hard-working families in Ontario.”

“Ontario is ready to get shovels in the ground and get people moving,” said Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure. “These transit projects will make a real difference in people’s lives, helping them spend less time commuting to work and home, and more time doing the things they love with the people they care about.”

“Ontario is keeping its promise to build better public transit and is working with municipalities to do so,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “Expanding and improving public transit helps connect people with jobs and businesses with customers.”

The projects are now with the federal government for final funding decisions as they are reviewed for eligibility under the ICIP program. Some projects could begin as soon as fall 2019.

Quick Facts

• The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is part of the government’s 10-year, $144-billion strategic infrastructure capital plan, which includes over $90 billion for public transit and provincial highways over the next decade.
• ICIP is funded by the federal, provincial and municipal governments. Ontario’s share per project will be up to 33.33 per cent or about $10.2 billion spread across four streams: Rural and Northern; Public Transit; Green; Community, Culture and Recreation.
• Ontario also nominated 201 transit projects for outside the Community, Culture and Recreation Stream under the federal Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program GTHA and five transit projects for the City of Toronto and York Region, as well as 144 road, bridge, air and marine infrastructure projects under the Rural and Northern stream.
• Municipalities and other eligible partners such as Indigenous communities and not-for-profits can start applying for the and submit applications starting September 3, 2019. This program could unlock up to $1 billion in funding for important local projects such as community centres, sports arenas and cultural centres.