Sherbrooke public transit infrastructure benefits from more than $1.2 million

Transfer of a portion of the federal Gas Tax Fund and a contribution from the Government of Quebec

SHERBROOKE, QC, Dec. 11, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, along with Luc Fortin, Member of the National Assembly for Sherbrooke, on behalf of Robert Poëti, Quebec Minister of Transport, are pleased to announce that the Société de transport de Sherbrooke (STS) has benefited from $1,240,528 from the federal Gas Tax Fund and a contribution from the Government of Quebec.

The funding announced today allowed the STS to expand and refit its administrative offices to make optimum use of the space and centralize the control room to better integrate the use of computer equipment so that the network can be monitored in real time.

Federal Gas Tax Fund allocations, including the Government of Quebec's contribution, are providing transportation agencies and authorities with long-term, stable and predictable funding.

From 2014–2019, transportation agencies and authorities in Quebec will receive $983.1 million for infrastructure and equipment improvements, with $485.5 million coming from the federal Gas Tax Fund and $497.6 million from the Government of Quebec's contribution. This funding is in addition to investments planned by the Quebec government under various other public transit programs totalling $1.1 billion for 2015–2016.

The Government of Quebec's contribution consists of revenue generated by the higher registration fees levied on vehicles with heavy-duty engines and revenue from the Fonds des réseaux de transport terrestre (FORT).

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is providing the Government of Quebec with nearly $2.4 billion for infrastructure renewal under the federal Gas Tax Fund over a five-year period, including $485.5 million for public transit infrastructure and equipment.
• The Government of Quebec is allocating nearly $1.3 billion in funding over a five-year period, including nearly $497.6 million for public transit infrastructure and equipment.
• The funding from the federal Gas Tax Fund, together with a portion of Quebec's contribution, is being administered by the Société de financement des infrastructures locales du Québec (SOFIL).

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to be partnering with Quebec to renew this key part of Sherbrooke's public transit infrastructure. This project is another example of our government's commitment to equipping Canadian communities with reliable public transit services, which help improve traffic flow, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce the long-term costs of building and maintaining roads and bridges."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The future of public transit depends first and foremost on maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure and equipment. With a view to sustainable mobility, we are investing today to ensure benefits for tomorrow; we are contributing to a more mobile population while reducing traffic congestion and its associated effects."

Luc Fortin, Member of the National Assembly for Sherbrooke, on behalf of Robert Poëti, Quebec Minister of Transport

Related links

To learn more about the federal Gas Tax Fund, visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html

To view the Gas Tax Fund Administrative Agreement between Canada and Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/agreements-ententes/gtf-fte/2014-qc-eng.html

Programme d'aide aux immobilisations en transport en commun (financial assistance program for public transit) of the Société de financement des infrastructures locales du Québec (SOFIL) and associated terms and conditions: http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/partenairesprives/entreprisesservicestransportroutier/programmes-aide/Pages/Transport-collectif-personnes-SOFIL.aspx

SOURCE Cabinet du ministre des Transports

Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll-free 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected], Twitter: @INFC_eng, Website: Infrastructure Canada; Anne Simard, Press Secretary, Office of the Member of the National Assembly for Sherbrooke, Tel: [phone]; Anne-Catherine Couture, Press Secretary, Office of the Quebec Minister of Transport, Tel: [phone]; Communications, Transport Quebec, Tel: [phone] (QC); 514-873-5600 (MO), Sans frais: 1-866-341-5724