HAPPY
VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, NL , May 13, 2024
/CNW/ - Happy Valley-Goose Bay
will have a new public transit system after an investment of
$840,000 from the federal and
provincial governments and the Town of
Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
This project was announced by Parliamentary Secretary Yvonne
Jones and Mayor George
Andrews.
Through the project, the Town will purchase an electric bus, two
charging stations, establish new bus stops and shelters, as well as
signage. It will also support developing a transit application to
provide commuters with up to date information on the transit
service.
Quotes
"Our government is proud to invest in public transit
infrastructure across the country, helping Canadians get where they
need to go, and contributing to a greener future. The funding
announced today will provide an essential service for Happy Valley-Goose Bay residents, ensuring
they have a convenient, comfortable, and affordable transit
option."
Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary
Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and to the Minister
of National Defence (Northern Defence), and Member of Parliament
for Labrador, on behalf of the
Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and
Communities
"I am delighted that the Department of Children, Seniors and
Social Development could contribute $100,000 to the Town of
Happy Valley-Goose Bay for the procurement of an electric
bus through our Community Transportation Program. Addressing
transportation barriers remains a priority in our ongoing efforts
to promote well-being and support an age-friendly environment
throughout Newfoundland and
Labrador."
The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Children, Seniors and
Social Development
"The Town of Happy Valley-Goose
Bay is grateful for the financial support provided by the
Rural Transit Solutions Fund. This funding will be instrumental in
helping us to address the transportation challenges faced by a
significant portion of our community. It will allow us to offer
enhanced mobility options for seniors, individuals with mobility
restrictions, post secondary students, low-income families, single
parents, newcomers to Canada,
Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable groups in our
community."
His Worship George Andrews, Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing $672,000 in this project through the Rural
Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF), the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $100,000, and the Town
of Happy Valley-Goose Bay is contributing $68,000. Federal funding is conditional on the
signing of the contribution agreement.
- The RTSF helps Canadians living in rural and remote areas get
around their communities more easily. It supports the development
of rural transit solutions, including new transit service models
that could be replicated or scaled up.
- A minimum of 10% of RTSF's funding will be allocated to
projects that benefit Indigenous populations and communities.
- RTSF's Capital Projects stream helps cover capital costs like
the purchase of vehicles or digital platforms, as well as support
for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. Eligible applicants
were able to seek contributions of up to $3
million to help cover the capital costs of a new or expanded
transit solution (e.g., purchase of vehicles or digital platforms),
and up to $5 million to support
zero-emission transit solutions (e.g., for the purchase of a
zero-emission vehicle(s)). This stream closed on February 28, 2024.
- RTSF's Planning and Design Projects continuous intake remains
open. Through this stream, eligible applicants can receive a grant
up to $50,000 in support of a
communities' projects to plan and design a new or expanded transit
solution for their communities. Some examples of eligible Planning
and Design Projects activities are assessment of routes and modes
of travel, feasibility studies, public and stakeholder engagement
and surveys.
- One in five Canadians live in rural communities. Rural
communities in Canada account for
nearly 30% of the nation's gross domestic product.
- The RTSF complements Canada's
strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy
Economy. Through the plan the federal government has committed to
providing federal funding for public transit in support of making
clean and affordable transportation available in every
community.
- Since 2015, the federal government has committed over
$30 billion for public transit and
active transportation projects. These historic investments have
resulted in close to 2000 projects across the country.
Associated Links
Rural Transit Solutions Fund
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-eng.html
Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
Federal infrastructure investments in Newfoundland and Labrador
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-nl-eng.html
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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada