Gatineau’s STO already has ideas about what to do with its share of $116.3 million for Quebec transit systems the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities announced yesterday.
While the Société de Transport de l’Outaouais’s Rapibus plan is not eligible for the grants because it already has funding in place, new projects that have not yet been announced could benefit, said STO chairwoman Louise Poirier, including more local Park and Ride terminals, Smart Cards and new buses for the fleet.
“It’s good news for the STO,” said Poirier.
While the money will be divided between nine transit systems in Quebec, the exact amount the STO will receive won’t be known for weeks yet.
The nine public transit systems will have the next two years to draw from the funding as required.
Along with Benoît Pelletier, minister responsible for the Outaouais region, and president of L’Association du transport urbain du Québec Jean-Jacques Beldié, Lawrence Cannon announced at the STO depot in Gatineau yesterday that the feds are doling out $116.3 million to be used on capital investments to improve public transit in Quebec.
The government is taking action to support public transit in the country, said Cannon.
“It’s extremely important,” he said. “Investments in public transit can improve mobility and help get people out of their cars, which reduces traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.”
Public transit improves the quality of life, Cannon said.
“We’re very proud of the public transit system here.”
Pelletier said he was “very satisfied” with the contribution from the federal government.
“This is excellent news for public transit in Quebec, and for present and future users,” he said.
Cannon said the money helps transit operations and municipalities achieve specific objectives.
–tracey.tong@metronews.ca