41 New Buses Rolling in Hamilton

Hamilton, Ontario, September 4, 2012 – Hamilton residents will enjoy better public transit with the arrival of 41 new buses. Not only does this mean more and newer buses on the road, it also means reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality.

"This important investment in public transit will provide Hamilton residents with reliable, fully accessible and environmentally friendly buses," said David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster–Dundas–Flamborough–Westdale. "Our Government is proud to help communities with their local infrastructure and transit priorities that help protect the environment and promote economic growth."

The 41 new buses are equipped with the latest emission technologies. They are mini-hybrid models, consuming less fuel than non-hybrid models, thanks to electric cooling fans that reduce the amount of horsepower required to cool the engine. In addition, the buses are 1000 pounds lighter than previous models and feature a new transmission which is designed for smoother operation and increased fuel economy. Four of the new buses expand the city's bus fleet and serve for route extension. The remaining 37 replace old buses that had come to the end of their useful life.

"Hamilton is very grateful to our federal partners for their investments in our public transit system," said Mayor Bob Bratina. "Public transportation is a key strategic priority for Council and these new buses will allow the Hamilton Street Railway to provide increased capacity and more reliable transit service to our riders. We hope Hamiltonians will consider leaving their car at home more often and taking transit instead."

The total cost for the 41 buses is $18.8 million. The City of Hamilton directed $6 million of its federal Gas Tax Fund allocation towards the project and contributed $1.13 million, while the remaining $11.67 million came from the Transit Reserves.

"Canada's Gas Tax Fund acknowledges that all orders of government must work together to address the pressing need for infrastructure investment in our municipalities," said Russ Powers, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). "Stable and predictable, the Gas Tax Fund is supporting long-term investment in local priority projects right across Ontario."

The Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. In December 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion per year. The Government of Canada, through the Gas Tax Fund alone, provides $746 million in funding annually for municipal infrastructure in Ontario. Between 2010 and 2014, the City of Hamilton will receive approximately $154.8 million from the Gas Tax Fund.

Investing in infrastructure is a key part of the Government of Canada's plan for jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. To develop a new long-term infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is working with provinces, territories, municipalities through municipal associations and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, as well as other key stakeholders in a series of roundtables. This plan will focus on investments that support job creation and economic growth, while building strong, prosperous communities across the country. Working together to develop this plan will provide new opportunities for all orders of government and the private sector to build partnerships to improve public infrastructure in Canada.

For further information on the Government of Canada's infrastructure investments in Ontario, visit Infrastructure Canada.

Stay up-to-date with Infrastructure Canada Web feeds by visiting Infrastructure Canada.

For additional information, please contact:

Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700

Kelly Anderson
Public Works Department | City of Hamilton
905-546-2424, extension 1430

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154