Brampton Züm Bus Rapid Transit service ready to launch on Steeles Avenue

BRAMPTON, ON, Nov. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport) and Member of Parliament for Bramalea-Gore-Malton; Vic Dhillon, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation and Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton West; and Susan Fennell, Mayor of Brampton, celebrated the completion of Phase I of the $285-million Brampton Züm project today.

The project involved building a bus rapid transit (BRT) line on Steeles Avenue and a new Brampton Gateway Terminal at Steeles Avenue and Main Street. Service begins on Nov. 26.

"Our government is pleased to invest in this important job-creating project that will provide faster, more frequent and reliable transit service in Brampton," said Minister Gosal. "This project demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to working with its partners to reduce traffic congestion and promote long-term economic growth in the GTA, while making it easier for people to reach their destinations on time."

"Supporting public transit projects across Ontario makes good economic and environmental sense," said MPP Dhillon. "The new Züm BRT service will provide convenient and timely access to other transit networks in Toronto, Mississauga, and York Region and will reduce congestion and help keep Brampton's air clean."

"Brampton Transit has seen extraordinary growth. Now with over 16 million transit riders, we offer convenient and reliable transit options - it is a key objective in our community planning," said Mayor Fennell. "By strategically and consistently advocating for the members of this community, the City benefits from multi-government partnerships to help finance critical infrastructure and municipal programs and services that Bramptonians use and value."

The Brampton Züm project is being delivered in two phases. Phase I included:

• the construction of BRT lines on Queen Street, Main Street, and Steeles Avenue;
• the construction of two new terminals - Bramalea Terminal and Brampton Gateway Terminal;
• upgrades to the  Downtown Terminal;
• the purchase of 63 BRT vehicles, including 60-foot articulated buses; and
• the purchase of 50 conventional vehicles to increase service frequency along major corridors feeding service into the BRT lines.

Phase II of the project is scheduled to start in 2014. It will bring BRT service to Bovaird Drive and expand service westbound along Steeles Avenue and Queen Street. Completion is expected by the end of 2017.

The Government of Canada has committed up to $95 million for both phases of Brampton's plan. The Province of Ontario has provided its contribution of $95 million, and the City of Brampton will fund the remaining $95 million in total project costs. The cost of Phase I of the project is $159 million, while the cost of Phase II of the project is $126 million.

Canada Economic Action Plan 2012 promotes new opportunities for growth, job creation and long-term prosperity. Strengthening infrastructure across the country is an important part of this plan. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership, and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 824,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. Find out more about the opportunities in Economic Action Plan 2012 at www.budget.gc.ca/2012/home-accueil-eng.html.

The Government of Ontario has invested $75 billion in infrastructure since 2003, which has helped create and preserve an average of nearly 100,000 jobs each year. Transit investments like this are part of the Government of Ontario's plan to create jobs, grow local economies, and ensure the province remains strong and competitive for years to come.

SOURCE: Transport Canada