Funding for 13 public transit projects in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, was announced by Marcus Powlowski, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay−Rainy River, and the Honorable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay−Superior North, on behalf of the Honorable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; along with the Honorable Laurie Scott, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure; and His Worship Bill Mauro, Mayor of the city of Thunder Bay.
Four transit hubs will be upgraded, and a new one built, with widened sidewalks, automatic doors and heated shelters. The hubs will improve accessibility and make it easier for riders to catch their bus. The purchase of four conventional buses will help make the transit system more reliable, while 14 new specialized paratransit buses will provide accessible, door-to-door service for passengers who need more assistance. In addition, 40 new bus shelters and several hundred new mobility pads will also improve accessibility. A new electronic fare management system will make payment simpler through reloadable smart cards.
"Modern public transit infrastructure allows Canadians to get around their communities more easily and affordably,” said Minister Hajdu. “The investment in upgraded transit hubs, new buses and a simpler payment system for riders in Thunder Bay will improve the quality of life for residents. These projects are an example of how working together with our provincial and municipal partners can improve communities now and in the future."
Together, these projects will improve the quality, safety and convenience of the transit system. The upgrades will also help pedestrians and cyclists more easily connect to their bus and community.
"This is an exciting day for transit riders and residents in Thunder Bay. Ontario is investing more than C$8.5 million in 13 new public transit projects,” said Minister Scott. “These projects will provide residents with more access to public transit, connecting people to jobs safely and efficiently. With today's announcement, these eight projects can move from shovel-ready to shovels moving."
The government of Canada is investing more than C$10.4 million (US$7.932 million) in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS). The government of Ontario is contributing more than C$8.5 million (US$6.483 million), while the city of Thunder Bay is contributing more than C$6.6 million (US$5.034 million).
"This investment is transformative. Not since Thunder Bay Transit became the first transit agency in Ontario to be 100 percent accessible back in 2007 has there been a multi-year investment in our service as consequential as this,” said Mayor Mauro. “Together, we will make transit safer and even more accessible with new hubs, new buses, an electronic payment system, and many other improvements touching on virtually every aspect of transit. We are grateful to the governments of Canada and Ontario for partnering with us to improve the whole transit experience for the people of Thunder Bay."
