THUNDER BAY — The health and well-being of Canadians are the top priorities of the Governments of Canada and Ontario. But the COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than our personal health. It is having a profound effect on our economy.
That is why our respective governments have been taking decisive action to support families, businesses and communities, and we continue to look ahead to see what more can be done. Ontarians need help getting safely to work and home, getting to appointments, to shop and to conduct business. Strategic investments in sustainable public transit and active transportation infrastructure play a key role. Marcus Powlowski, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay−Rainy River, and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay−Superior North, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; along with the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; and His Worship Bill Mauro, Mayor of the City of Thunder Bay, today announced funding for 13 public transit projects in 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. 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. The Government of Canada is investing over $10.4 million in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS). The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $8.5 million, while the City of Thunder Bay is contributing over $6.6 million. |
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