Canada, Ontario and the Region of Waterloo are investing more than $291 million through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to increase access to public transit, reduce emissions and improve service and accessibility for commuters in Waterloo Region.
The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo, Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, the Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario's Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Mike Harris, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, Jess Dixon, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener South-Hespeler, Brian Riddell, Member of Provincial Parliament for Cambridge, and Karen Redman, Chair of the Region of Waterloo, announced a total of nine investments together in Waterloo.
Part of today's investments will support the construction of the Kitchener Central Transit Hub (KCTH). Seamlessly uniting active transportation, ION light rail, GO transit, VIA rail, intercity buses, passenger vehicles and Grand River Transit, the new facility will operate as an important node connecting Kitchener to the greater Region of Waterloo and beyond. It will include modern and accessible features such as Wi-Fi, advanced security systems, a central plaza, and integration with the local trail network. Through this investment, the adjacent bus terminal at the corner of King Street and Victoria Street will also be upgraded with four additional bus bays and one mobility bus stop.
Funding is also being provided for public transit projects that will improve and support the delivery of affordable and reliable transit options in the Region of Waterloo. The projects include purchasing 56 hybrid buses to replace retired diesel buses and expanding the fleet with up to 70 additional hybrid buses. Other projects will enhance access to transit by supporting improvements for paths and pedestrian bridges and support general transit operations by improving accessibility and commuter comfort and safety.
Investments in public transit help Canadians get where they need to be, create new manufacturing and construction jobs, reduce pollution, and make life more affordable. The investments announced today will help reduce emissions, improve the travel experience for commuters and connect people to jobs, homes and more opportunities. Purchasing new hybrid vehicles, investing in sustainable technology, upgrading stops and paths around busy transit locations, and updating transit IT systems are vital to maintaining a safe, efficient and reliable public transit service for residents across the Waterloo region.
