Canada Invests in Accessible Public Transit Infrastructure for Residents in Brampton

The Voice of Canada News– Brampton, ON – Ruby Sahota, Member of Parliament for Brampton North reconfirms that the safety and well-being of Canadians are top priorities of the Federal Liberal Government.

“Investments in infrastructure during this extraordinary time provides an opportunity to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and to make our communities more inclusive and resilient,” said MP Sahota. “That is why, our government is taking decisive action to help families, businesses and communities like Brampton as they adapt to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. My residents of Brampton need safe and reliable public transit to get to work and home, to appointments, to shop for essentials, and to conduct business. Strategic investments in accessible public transportation infrastructure play a key role in delivering this service.”

The Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities announced funding for two projects that will modernize and improve accessibility for Peel Region’s public transit system. The Government of Canada is investing more than $3.5 million in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing close to $3 million, and the Region of Peel is contributing more than $2.3 million.

One project involves the replacement of existing specialized transit buses with 69 new, specialized, 8-metre buses as the current fleet reaches the end of its planned service lifecycle. The new propane-powered buses, with side-mounted lift, will provide accessible transit in Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon, and are capable of carrying as many as six wheelchair passengers.

The second project involves the adoption of the PRESTO electronic fare collection system across the Regional Municipality of Peel’s TransHelp fleet. This project includes the design, planning, purchase and hardware installation of up to 145 portable, tablet-based, electronic payment units.

These projects will result in increased capacity, and improved quality, safety and access to the public transit system in the Region of Peel. All orders of government continue to work together to make strategic infrastructure investments in communities across the province
when needed most.