THUNDER BAY – The cities of Thunder Bay and Kenora will save $21,000 and $7,000 respectively on four new accessible buses by partnering with nine other Ontario municipalities. Thunder Bay’s three new accessible buses and Kenora’s one new bus will be available in September for people using the local transit systems. These buses will carry up to six passengers with personal mobility devices, helping people with disabilities and seniors to better access jobs, family, friends and community services.
“Accessible transit is an important lifeline for people with disabilities and seniors to access work, community, friends and family. Improving public transit makes our cities more accessible, less congested and more vibrant,” shares Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay-Atikokan.
“With this partnership, Thunder Bay and Kenora will save money and provide better services, making transit more accessible for the entire community,” added Michael Gravelle, MPP Thunder Bay-Superior North.
Participating municipalities and non-profit specialized transit service providers are: Durham Region, Sarnia, North Bay, Welland, Kenora, HAGI (Thunder Bay), Cornwall, Community Care North Hastings (Bancroft), Oakville, St. Thomas and York Region.
The joint transit purchase of 27 buses is saving municipalities a total of approximately $400,000 and is being coordinated by Metrolinx.
The new buses will use clean diesel and meet 2010 emissions standards.