A joint commitment of more than C$3.9 million (US$3.08 million) from the Canadian government and province of British of Columbia will help fund the installation and refitting of approximately 150 bus shelters throughout the province. In total, C$4.7 million (US$3.71 million) will be invested in the shelter project.
“Investing in B.C.’s public transit is an essential part of growing an economy, creating good jobs and supporting communities where people can get around in faster, cleaner and more affordable ways. By improving rider experience, these bus shelters will help create the incentive for more people to choose public transit over cars, which is better for the environment,” said Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna.
The province and the federal government are investing more than C$1.9 million (US$1.5 million) each through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada plan, which the Canadian government notes invests in projects, creates jobs and builds communities that are cleaner and more inclusive. An additional C$986,000 (US$778,364) is being contributed to the bus shelter project by local governments through BC Transit. BC Transit manages public transit projects outside the Metro Vancouver region.
“Bus shelters are important transit infrastructure that provide people a safe and dry place to wait for the bus. We are happy to join with our federal and local government partners on supporting new and improved bus shelters in communities throughout B.C., helping to encourage more people to choose public transit and making our neighborhoods more affordable, accessible and inclusive,” said B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming.
The funding for the new shelters will improve the quality and safety of bus travel thanks to weather-specific upgrades, as well as better lighting and seating. Increased accessibility standards will allow more individuals to access the public transit system.
BC Transit has facilitated the installation of more than 500 shelters since 2010 through its capital upgrade funding program that assists municipalities in acquiring the standardized shelters. BC Transit explains the shelter designs are modular to allow for future expansion.
“On behalf of our local government partners, thank you to the government of Canada and the province of B.C. for continuing to invest in the future of public transit. We have received positive feedback on the bus shelters program from our partners and this second phase means even more communities across British Columbia will enjoy the benefits of shelters for their residents,” said Erinn Pinkerton, president and CEO, BC Transit.
