City unveils 8 new transit buses - Accessible Buses Funded Through Federal Gas Tax Funding

Lethbridge, Alberta, September 11, 2006 - Rick Casson, MP for Lethbridge, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation Minister, the Honourable Ty Lund, and the Mayor of Lethbridge, Bob Tarleck, today unveiled eight new transit buses funded through the sharing of the federal gas tax. The announcement was made during a visit of the Canadian Urban Transit Association Executive Committee.

"I am pleased to see federal gas tax funding being used to purchase eight new buses that will provide clear environmental benefits to the people of Lethbridge," said MP Rick Casson. "Through public transit investments in rural communities, this new Government is delivering on its commitment to provide a high quality of life to citizens."

The federal and provincial governments are working together to deliver the benefits of this program to communities. "In Alberta, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation has taken on the role of evaluating proposals submitted to this program and administrating grant funding," said Minister Ty Lund. "The City of Lethbridge submitted a strong proposal to improve the transit infrastructure for a growing community, and funding totaling $2,943,200 was approved for this purchase."

"Lethbridge is the first small Alberta City to benefit from the sharing of the federal gas tax and its special transit grant." said Mayor Bob Tarleck. "This funding means we have been able to enhance service on recently implemented new bus routes in the City, and means that people with mobility challenges will have better access to community transportation."

For further information contact:

Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon,
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Tel: (613) 991-0700

The Office Of The Mayor
Tel: (403) 320-3823

Infrastructure Canada
Communications Directorate
Tel: (613) 948-1148

*Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) is the national association representing public transit systems, suppliers to the industry, government agencies and related organizations in Canada.