Cornwall receives funding for new buses

Image of Nick Seebruch
By Nick Seebruch
Cornwall receives funding for new buses
Pictured from left-to-right are Cornwall Division Manager for Public Transit Lenn Tapp, Mayor Bernadette Clement, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 946 President Scott Szabadka and MPP Jim McDonell during the announcement of the province's investment in transit July 30, 2019 (Nick Seebruch/ Seaway News).

CORNWALL, Ontario – Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MPP Jim McDonell announced on Tuesday, July 30, that the City of Cornwall would receive $18.2 million over 10 years for Cornwall Transit to purchase new buses.

The money is being provided through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), a funding programming partnership between the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

“Our Government committed to investing in transit and today we see real action,” said MPP Jim McDonell.

Mayor Bernadette Clement praised the investment in municipal transit infrastructure.

“Transit is one of those things that makes us a whole City,” she said.

Some of the money will be going to promote accessibility on Handi-transit buses and at bus stops.

The City of Cornwall currently has a fleet of 10 para-transit buses and 15 conventional buses. Each bus has a life span of between 12 and 18 years. The City of Cornwall replaces around two conventional buses and one para-transit bus every year.

“This funding will go a long way over a 10 year period,” said Cornwall Division Manager for Public Transit Len Tapp. “We were falling behind on fleet replacement and this will really help.

“This announcement today is great news and will provide sustainable funding for Cornwall Transit infrastructure projects that will enhance our community’s transit system that has a ridership of 870,000 annually of which 35,000 rides support persons with disabilities,” said Mayor Clement.

Share this article