More than $17.4 million in combined funding from Ottawa, Queen's Park, the City of Brampton and Peel Region will put 15 new made-in-Canada buses on Brampton streets and add electric vehicles to Peel's specialized TransHelp fleet.
The investment will let Brampton replace buses that have reached the end of their service life, while also installing modern fare payment systems and automatic vehicle location technology, according to a Mass Transit press release.
Peel Region will use its share of the money to buy 23 specialized accessible transit buses and two electric TransHelp buses. The region will also upgrade its bus garages so they can service battery-electric buses as they join the fleet.
How the money breaks down
The federal government is contributing $6.9 million across three projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, which funds the building, expansion and upgrading of urban and rural transit networks.
Ontario is investing $5.8 million, while the City of Brampton and Peel Region are together putting in $4.6 million.
Nationally, the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program earmarks more than $180 billion over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities.
In Ontario, the program's transit stream has already approved more than 400 projects, with the federal government committing $8.3 billion and the province $7.3 billion.
What officials are saying
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said better transit makes it quicker and more affordable for Canadians to get where they need to go while reducing emissions.
"Today's investment to help two growing transit agencies buy new buses will make it a more efficient, reliable and comfortable experience to get around Peel Region on public transit," Freeland said in the release.
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Sean Fraser called public transit invaluable in connecting communities and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adding that he is excited to see the investment's impact for Peel residents.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the funding will help the city replace aging buses and bring in new fare systems and vehicle location technology.
"As Canada's fastest-growing transit network, our ridership surge defies norms, demonstrating the indispensable role of Brampton Transit," Brown said in the release.
Peel Region Chair Nando Iannicca said the region's door-to-door specialized service helps residents with disabilities travel without barriers and keep their independence.
"Working in tandem with other levels of government allows us to make great strides toward creating a place where everyone enjoys a sense of belonging and has access to the services and opportunities they need to thrive," Iannicca said.
