GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP CELEBRATES LAUNCH OF ZÜM BUS RAPID TRANSIT SERVICE IN
BRAMPTON

BRAMPTON, ON, Sept. 17 /CNW/ - David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon; the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Ont
ario's Minister of Transportation; and Her Worship Susan Fennell, mayor of Brampton, today participated in a launch event for Züm, Brampton's first bus rapid transit (BRT) service, and the official opening of the new Brampton
Transit Bramalea Terminal. 

Züm service will run along Queen Street, from downtown Brampton to York University, and will begin operations on September 20, 2010.

"Investments in regional transit links will connect cities, create jobs, boost the Canadian economy and improve the environment," said MP Tilson. "This rapid transit system will provide commuters in Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area with a more efficient transit option, while cutting commute times and taking more cars off the road."

"Supporting public transit projects across Ontario makes good economic and environmental sense," said Minister Wynne. "New Züm BRT service will provide convenient and timely access to other transit networks in Toronto, Mississauga, York Region and GO Transit, and reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Transit investments like this are part of the McGuinty government's Open Ontario plan to strengthen our economy and create more jobs and opportunities across the province."

"The launch of Züm marks an incredibly important milestone for both Brampton Transit and the City of Brampton," said Mayor Fennell. "City council made it a priority to work quickly and efficiently with senior levels in government to deliver a modern, reliable and environmentally friendly bus rapid transit system to the people of Brampton, on time and on budget. With the launch of Züm service on September 20, Bramptonians will benefit from a sleek, state-of-the-art, world-class rapid transit system that will connect them with major events and activities in and around Brampton, and across the GTA."

The $285-million Brampton Züm project is being delivered in two phases, and the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Brampton are equal funding partners. In addition to the Queen Street corridor, Phase 1 also includes construction of BRT lines on Main Street and Steeles Avenue, with scheduled completion by September 2011 and September 2012 respectively. Work is ongoing and future events will be held to mark important construction milestones. Phase 2 of the project will expand services along Queen Street and Steeles Avenue, as well as introducing service on Bovaird Drive. Completion of the second phase is expected by 2021.

The Government of Canada is contributing up to $95 million through the FLOW initiative. The Province of Ontario has already provided its contribution of $95 million, and the City of Brampton will fund the remaining $95 million in total project costs.

For more information on Ontario's transit investments, visit www.ontario.ca/transportation-news.

A backgrounder with information on funding for FLOW, the Government of Canada's transportation action plan for the Greater Toronto Area, and Brampton Züm is attached.

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

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Backgrounder

INFORMATION ON FLOW AND

OTHER TRANSIT PROJECTS IN THE GREATER TORONTO AREA

FLOW

FLOW, the Government of Canada's transportation action plan for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), is designed to reduce congestion, cut commute times, help clear the air and help drive the economy in the GTA.

It consists of key transportation infrastructure projects that are being funded and built in the short to medium term. In most cases, the projects are being cost-shared by the three levels of government — federal, provincial and municipal.

The projects were selected following consultations with the Province of Ontario, mayors in the GTA, regional chairs, municipal councillors and various community groups.

This plan was developed to help enhance the quality of life for residents and help businesses increase efficiency by keeping people, traffic and goods FLOWing in the largest metropolitan area in Canada.

The FLOW transit infrastructure projects include the Brampton Züm project.

Brampton Züm (formerly AcceleRide)
This project involves the construction of a bus rapid tansit (BRT) system along Brampton's key east-west, north-south corridors and provides a direct link to Mississauga, York Region and Toronto.

The Government of Canada has committed up to $95 million, while the Province of Ontario has already provided $95 million. The City of Brampton will fund the remaining $95 million in total project costs.

The project will be constructed in two phases. The first phase is expected to be complete by 2012 with three BRT lines (Queen Street in 2010, Main Street in 2011 and Steeles Avenue in 2012). The second phase will be complete by 2021.

Other GTA Transit Projects

Mississauga Transitway
This project involves the construction of an east-west dedicated bus right of way across the City of Mississauga between Winston Churchill Boulevard and Renforth Drive. This project will improve local and inter-regional bus operations across the City of Mississauga. A total of 11 stations will be constructed along the route.

The Government of Canada has committed up to $83 million to the project. The Province of Ontario has provided the City of Mississauga with $65 million through MoveOntario to support the project and has committed to providing an additional $48 million in Metrolinx investments.

The project is expected to be complete by 2012.

Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension
The existing Spadina subway line will be extended by 8.6 kilometres through York University to the Vaughan Corporate Centre.

The Government of Canada is committing up to $697 million towards the eligible project costs. The Province of Ontario provided $870 million through MoveOntario for this project. The City of Toronto and Regional Municipality of York previously committed their contributions and are responsible for the remainder of the project costs.

The total cost of the subway extension is estimated at $2.6 billion; it is expected to be complete by 2015.

York Region Viva Phase 2 (vivaNext)
The Viva rapid transit system will be enhanced through the construction of dedicated BRT lane systems along the Yonge Street and Highway 7 corridors.

The Government of Canada has committed up to $85 million towards eligible project costs.

VivaNext is a priority in Metrolinx's regional transportation plan for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The Province of Ontario has committed up to $1.4 billion to vivaNext through MoveOntario.

FLOW also includes three highway projects. The Province of Ontario determines the appropriate financing and delivery for:

• extending Highway 407 east to Highway 35/115;
• widening Highway 7 in Durham Region; and
• extending Highway 404.

THE CITY OF BRAMPTON

The 11th-largest city in Canada, Brampton has a successful, well-diversified economy and is home to more than 8,000 businesses. The city continues to retain a "AAA" credit rating by Standard & Poor's, reflecting its successful economy and debt-free position. Brampton celebrates its diverse population that represents people from more than 175 distinct ethnic backgrounds who speak more than 70 different languages. Offering more than 6,000 acres of parkland, Brampton takes pride in being known as the Flower City of Canada. Brampton has been designated as an International Safe Community by the World Health Organization. For more information, visit www.brampton.ca.

THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO

The Ontario government is tackling gridlock to build a strong and prosperous economy by getting people onto public transit with record investments and innovation.

Metrolinx
Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario, provides leadership in the coordination, planning, financing and implementation of an integrated multimodal transportation network in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Metrolinx is responsible for the operation of GO Transit, and for planning and implementing the regional transit network in the GTHA. With a real focus on public transit, people and businesses will be able to move more easily across the GTHA, making cities more livable and the economy stronger, while protecting the environment. 

Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan
In November 2008, Metrolinx released "The Big Move," its regional transportation plan for the GTHA. As part of the regional transportation system, The Big Move identifies plans for expansion of the regional rapid transit network, including subways, light rail and bus rapid transit lines, integrated with an expanded GO Transit commuter rail network. Metrolinx is now implementing a number of key projects identified in The Big Move, with the province's $11.5-billion MoveOntario 2020 funding commitment as the foundation investment.

For further information:

John Babcock Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Ottawa       613-991-0700 Derek Luk Minister's Office Ontario Ministry of Transportation Toronto 416-327-1815 Ian Newman Mayor's Office City of Brampton 905-874-2628

Media Relations Transport Canada, Ottawa 613-993-0055 Bob Nichols Communications Ontario Ministry of Transportation Toronto 416-327-1158 Joanna Bailey Senior Advisor, Communications City of Brampton 905-874-2837