Cleaner Air for Fredericton: $1.9 Million to Improve Public Transit

Fredericton, New Brunswick, December 1, 2006 - Mike Allen, M.P. for Tobique-Mactaquac, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Denis Landry, Minister of Transportation, announced today that Fredericton is receiving $1.9 million in federal funding to improve its public transit.

This federal funding is provided under the Canada-New Brunswick Agreement on Public Transit. The agreement includes a five-year capital investment plan in which the City of Fredericton will purchase 14 new buses and one para transit bus. These new buses will all be low-emission and wheel-chair accessible.

These new buses will reduce the average age of the city's bus fleet from nearly 16 years to 10 years. Ridership is projected to increase by 50,000 and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 250 metric tonnes by 2010. The city also plans to expand its maintenance facility to accommodate the larger fleet.

"This contribution shows that Canada's New Government is helping to get things done for Fredericton," said MP Allen. "Through public transit investments the Canada's New Government is delivering on our Budget 2006 commitment to provide Canadians with a healthy environment, economic opportunities, a high quality of life and safety and security."

"New Brunswick is pleased to support this innovative vision for public transit. The provincial government is committed to environmental sustainability," said Minister Landry. "All levels of government must work to encourage public awareness of the importance of sustainable transportation. Fleet renewal is key to retaining ridership and encouraging more New Brunswickers to take the bus."

"This investment in our public transit system will allow us to renew our fleet with modern, accessible and more fuel-efficient buses," said Mayor Woodside. "It also supports our "Active Transportation" initiative to provide alternate forms of transportation for our residents."

A total of $9.4 million will be invested in three New Brunswick communities through the Canada-New Brunswick Agreement on the Transfer of Federal Public Transit Funds. These investments will result in significant environmental benefits, such as cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The New Brunswick Department of Transportation assisted in the preparation of the agreements, the preparation of the capital investment plans, and will assist in the development of transit strategies. The funds will be administered by the Regional Development Corporation.

Lowering transportation emissions contributes significantly to reductions in both greenhouse gases and smog. According to the Department of Transportation, about one-quarter of total greenhouse gas emissions in New Brunswick are caused by transportation. Of this amount, over 70 per cent arises from road transportation.

For further information contact:

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

Tracey Burkhardt
Director of Communication
Government of New Brunswick
(506) 453-5634

Bruce Macfarlane
Regional Development Corporation
Government of New Brunswick
(506) 444-4606

Infrastructure Canada
(613) 948-1148

John White
Communication Assistant
City of Fredericton
(506) 406-2227