January 29, 2020 – Brampton -

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities has announced federal funding for two projects that will modernize and improve accessibility for public transit in the Region of Peel.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $3.5 million in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada plan. 

One project involves the replacement of existing specialized transit buses with 69 new, specialized, 8-metre buses as the current fleet reaches the end of its planned service lifecycle. The new propane-powered buses, with side-mounted lift, will provide accessible transit in Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon, and are capable of carrying as many as six wheelchair passengers.

The second project involves the adoption of the PRESTO electronic fare collection system across the Regional Municipality of Peel’s TransHelp fleet. This project includes the design, planning, purchase and hardware installation of up to 145 portable, tablet-based, electronic payment units.

These projects will result in increased capacity, and improved quality, safety and access to the public transit system in the Region of Peel, including Brampton South. 

Quotes:

“Public transit connects our communities in Brampton and empowers residents to access the opportunities available to them. These investments are critical as modernizing our transit systems is a priority for all Bramptonians and something I hear about frequently. We are working hard to make our systems more accessible and more efficient than ever. These projects will also create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and make our community more resilient than ever.” — Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Brampton South