(YORK REGION, ON, Nov. 10) - New vehicles for York Region's Viva bus rapid transit (BRT) were unveiled today on a segment of newly constructed rapidway along Enterprise Drive in Markham, Ontario. Lois Brown, Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora, along with Michael Chan, Member of Provincial Parliament for Markham-Unionville, York Region chairman and CEO Bill Fisch, and Metrolinx president and CEO Bruce McCuaig participated in the event.
The existing Viva service connects Newmarket, Aurora, Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham, and also links to the neighbouring regions of Toronto, Peel and Durham. The rapidway along Enterprise Drive will be the first segment of dedicated lanes for Viva rapid transit vehicles to be completed in York Region.
"The unveiling of these new Viva BRT vehicles is another step towards improving transit services in the Greater Toronto Area," said MP Brown. "This investment will help increase the reliability and efficiency of the transit system, reduce traffic congestion and support the local economy."
"These projects provide lasting benefits to those who live and work in York Region," said Mr. Fisch. "Together, we are building a modern transit network that includes this new fleet of vehicles, subway extensions and an efficient operations yard, to ensure we keep pace with the planned growth and preserve the quality of life people have come to expect in York Region."
"The growth of transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area is critical to the region's success and we continue to make progress at delivering transit solutions," said Mr. McCuaig. "York Region's new Viva rapid transit is a great example of how when we partner together we make progress in transforming the way the region moves."
The 46 new BRT vehicles chosen for the Viva system are manufactured by Nova Bus in St-Eustache, Quebec, and will be delivered in phases. The final delivery will be made by 2015. These buses will be equipped with an in-vehicle Intelligent Transportation System that will be fully compatible with York Region's existing transit management system.
Using clean, hybrid diesel-electric technology, the vehicles will offer a smooth, comfortable ride as part of York Region's commitment to provide reliable, convenient service to passengers.
The total cost of these BRT vehicles is approximately $47.2 million. The Government of Canada has committed $22.1 million to their purchase, with a matching commitment from York Region of $22.1 million. The Province of Ontario has contributed the remaining $3.0 million through the Metrolinx Quick Wins initiative.
The federal government's commitment towards the purchase of these vehicles is being funded through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) and falls under FLOW, the Government of Canada's initiative for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) that is designed to reduce congestion, cut commute times, help clear the air and help drive the economy in the GTA.
The purchase of these BRT vehicles under the federal CSIF is part of a larger project that includes the construction of an operations, maintenance and storage facility in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and the construction of Cornell Terminal in the Town of Markham, Ontario. The total estimated cost for this CSIF project is $170 million, with the federal government committing up to $85 million.
Backgrounder Information
FEDERAL INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC TRANSIT IN THE GREATER TORONTO AREA
The Government of Canada is committed to helping provide Canadians with safe, efficient and affordable mass transportation, which contributes to a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and better communities, while addressing local and regional infrastructure needs.
The federal funding for these improvements comes from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF). Through the fund, the Government of Canada works with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, as well as with the private sector, to meet strategic infrastructure needs throughout the country. The CSIF supports large-scale strategic infrastructure projects that improve quality of life and further economic growth.
The federal government has committed up to $85 million through the CSIF to York Region towards the $170-million Viva Phase 2, Stage 1 BRT Project. The project includes:
- the purchase of 46 bus rapid transit (BRT) vehicles;
- the construction of an operations, maintenance and storage facility in Richmond Hill, Ontario; and
- the construction of Cornell Terminal in Markham, Ontario.
The FLOW announcement also committed funding to the following projects:
- up to $95 million for the Brampton Züm project;
- up to $83 million for the Mississauga BRT project;
- up to $2.5 million to help the Region of Durham further refine its transit service strategy and BRT implementation plans; and
- up to $697 million to support the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension project.
- Toronto Transit Commission Strategic Capital Projects — $303.5 million through the CSIF to a $1.05-billion project for improvements to subway, streetcar and bus infrastructure ($46.5 million has also been set aside for a potential FareCard project);
- Union Station Revitalization — $133 million through the Building Canada Fund to a $640-million project for improvements to the historic Union Station;
- Sheppard East Light Rail Transit — $333 million through the Building Canada Fund to a $1.0-billion project for 15 kilometres of dedicated streetcar lines along Sheppard Avenue;
- GO Transit Projects — $385 million to over $1.0 billion in commuter rail improvements under the GO Transit Rail Improvement Package (GO TRIP), and a further $250 million to GO system improvements under the $500-million GO Transit Improvement Package (GO TIP); and
- York Viva Phase 1 — $50 million to a $164-million BRT project.
VivaNext is York Region's plan for the next generation of rapid transit, which includes subway extensions, light rail transit lines and dedicated rapidway lanes for Viva vehicles.
Rapidways are dedicated lanes in the centre of the road that allow Viva vehicles to avoid congestion and maintain faster, more consistent travel times. Like subway extensions and light rail transit lines, the rapidways will encourage the development of attractive and pedestrian-friendly places with a mix of uses along their routes where people will come to live, work, shop and play.
