City Receives Grant Money for Buses

Provincial, Federal grants will help modernize Cold Lake Transit

Cold Lake Transit received a big boost from the Federal and Provincial Governments this weekend with the announcement that the City’s two transit grant applications were successful.

“Public transit has had enormous social and environmental impacts in our community and we are excited to see the Province and Federal Government’s support for transit not only in Cold Lake, but across the province of Alberta,” Mayor Craig Copeland said.

Cold Lake was successful in its Core-Fleet Replacement application as well as a second application for projects that will increase pedestrian connectivity to the transit system and provide for real-time GPS scheduling for the transit buses. The grant money totals over $1 million in Federal and Provincial support for Cold Lake Transit.

The Core-Fleet Replacement program will see the city’s two main buses replaced by new, low-floor diesel buses. The existing buses will stay in the fleet as backup units and to provide the capability to enhance scheduling or expand the routes in the future. Of the project’s total $1 million, $174,000 will be funded through the Federal Government’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, and $666,700 will come through the Provincial Green Transit Incentives Program (GreenTRIP). The balance of the project, or $159,300, will come from the City of Cold Lake’s Capital Budget.

The second grant application covered a total of $300,000 worth of projects that will increase pedestrian accessibility and enhance the transit system’s scheduling. It includes money for up to six new solar powered bus shelters, a real-time GPS scheduling system and money for over 560 metres of sidewalk as well as para ramps, and crosswalk enhancements to ensure transit users have safe and easy access to the system year-round. Of the total project cost, $200,000 will come from GreenTRIP and $100,000 will be funded through the City’s Capital Budget.

“These are significant improvements to our new transit system that will not only enhance the service, but help to ensure Cold Lake Transit’s efficiency and sustainability,” Copeland said. “Not only does Cold lake Transit give our residents and visitors an environmentally sustainable transit option, but it ensures that all residents have the access they need to fully participate in civic life; it gives them reliable transportation across the city to work, shop and recreate. We are thrilled to see all three levels of government work together to make these projects a reality.”

The announcements came last Saturday from the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and communities, the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, Brian Mason, Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Transportation, and Joe Ceci, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board at a press conference in Calgary. Over 89 transit projects in communities across Alberta totaling more than $500 million in Federal and Provincial contributions were announced.

“Our government is committed to ensuring Alberta municipalities, including the City of Cold Lake, have access to affordable, accessible and environmentally sustainable public transportation options,” Minister of Transportation Brian Mason said. “Our total public transit investment of more than $342 million this year across Alberta allows people to get where they want to go safely and efficiently, while reducing congestion and the number of vehicles on our roads.”