MORE than $3.9 million in joint funding to install approximately 150 new and refitted public bus shelters throughout the province was announced by Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Rob Fleming, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. Erinn Pinkerton, president and CEO, BC Transit, also participated in the virtual announcement.
These shelters will improve the quality and safety of bus travel, thanks to weather-specific upgrades as well as better lighting and seating. Increased accessibility standards will allow more individuals to access the public transit system.
Both levels of government are each investing more than $1.9 million in this project through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada plan. Local governments, through BC Transit, are contributing $986,000 to this project.
McKenna said: “Investing in B.C.’s public transit is an essential part of growing an economy, creating good jobs and supporting communities where people can get around in faster, cleaner and more affordable ways. By improving rider experience, these bus shelters will help create the incentive for more people to choose public transit over cars, which is better for the environment. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”
Weiler added: “New and refitted bus shelters will improve the day-to-day commuting experience for public transit users. It’s great to see federal funding go towards public transit in my home province and towards supporting cleaner and better connected communities.”
Fleming said: “Bus shelters are important transit infrastructure that provide people a safe and dry place to wait for the bus. We are happy to join with our federal and local government partners on supporting new and improved bus shelters in communities throughout B.C., helping to encourage more people to choose public transit and making our neighbourhoods more affordable, accessible and inclusive.”
Pinkerton said: “On behalf of our local government partners, thank you to the Government of Canada and the Province of B.C. for continuing to invest in the future of public transit. We have received positive feedback on the bus shelters program from our partners, and this second phase means even more communities across British Columbia will enjoy the benefits of shelters for their residents.”
