Funding for two projects that will increase the size of Belleville's public transit fleet while making it easier for residents and visitors to use was announced by Neil Ellis, Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte, on behalf of the Honorable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honorable Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Member of Provincial Parliament for Bay of Quinte, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure; and His Worship Mitch Panciuk, Mayor of the city of Belleville.
The first project involves the expansion of public transit and active transportation infrastructure in Belleville's North East Industrial Park. The construction of three kilometers (1.9 miles) of new sidewalk and a one kilometre (.6 mile) accessible multi-use path will provide commuters with direct access to the city's public transit system. The addition of new bus stops and transit shelters, all fully accessible, will help meet the growing needs of transit users in this busy commercial area.
The second project consists of the purchase of four new buses which will be added to the existing bus fleet. The new buses will lead to increased service levels on the busiest bus routes and also expand transit service to underserved areas of the city.
Together, these investments will make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to safely access the public transit system.
The government of Canada is investing more than C$1.3 million (US$957,612) in the North East Industrial Park active transportation and transit shelters project, and contributing more than C$1.3 million (US$957,612) to the purchase of four buses through the Public Transit Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The government of Ontario is also contributing more than C$2.2 million (US$1.620 million) to improve public transit in the community, with nearly C$1.1 million (US$810,122) towards the North East Industrial Park and more than C$1.1 million (US$810,122) towards new bus purchases and overall transit expansion. The city of Belleville's contribution is nearly C$2 million (US$1.472 million).
Quotes
"Connecting active transportation networks to modern public transit systems is essential to building healthy, sustainable communities. These investments will improve the accessibility and reliability of the transit system that many Belleville residents rely on each day to access local services and get around the city. We are working with our partners to build better public transit that contributes to liveable communities for generations to come."
Neil Ellis, Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"Public transportation provides a vital link to necessities like education, employment, health care and recreation within our Bay of Quinte communities. Ontario's over $2.2 million investment to improve transit access to Belleville's North East Industrial Park and upgrade its bus fleet will provide strong connections and opportunities for the city's residents and businesses."
The Honourable Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Member of Provincial Parliament for Bay of Quinte, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure
"We are so very pleased to have federal and provincial support to help us make these positive changes in our public transit infrastructure and active transportation. This investment will benefit residents going to and from work, and also ease employer concerns regarding their employees getting to work safely. Our local economy will be strengthened by these improvements as they support workers and employers alike."
Mayor Mitch Panciuk, City of Belleville
