Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, the Government of Canada’s Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Ric McIver, Alberta’s Minister of Transportation and Municipal Affairs, announced funding for a transit hub and park and ride facility in Spruce Grove, as well as Smart Fare equipment in Spruce Grove, and the purchase of Smart Fare and Smart Bus technology in Fort Saskatchewan and Leduc, under the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. These projects will improve the quality and safety of the cities’ transit systems.
Spruce Grove, Alberta, August 12, 2021—Investments in local infrastructure by the governments of Canada and Alberta during this unprecedented time will help stimulate the economy and ensure long-term sustainable infrastructure while building strong and well-connected communities, as they recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporting public transportation infrastructure will help create jobs and make our communities healthier, more inclusive and more resilient.
Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, the Government of Canada’s Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Ric McIver, Alberta’s Minister of Transportation and Municipal Affairs, announced funding for a transit hub and park and ride facility in Spruce Grove, as well as Smart Fare equipment in Spruce Grove, and the purchase of Smart Fare and Smart Bus technology in Fort Saskatchewan and Leduc, under the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. These projects will improve the quality and safety of the cities’ transit systems.
The Spruce Grove Transit Hub project will include nearly 200 park and ride stalls, 16 bike parking stalls, a heated shelter, and more. This project will result in improved access to Spruce Grove’s public transit system, and is near the first and last bus stops to and from Edmonton. Additionally, the installation of Smart Fare technology on transit buses will simply the payment of bus fares and enable seamless access across the Metro Edmonton Region.
Fort Saskatchewan and Leduc will also benefit from the installation of Smart Fare technology, as well as Smart Bus capital infrastructure. Smart Bus technology will improve operator and transit rider safety, improve scheduling, and automated vehicle monitoring. Meanwhile, Smart Fare will allow riders to load fares through credit or debit cards, which will replace printed materials. This improvement is more convenient for riders and better for the environment. The projects will improve mobility for Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, and Edmonton region residents.
Investing in public transit pays triple benefits: it creates jobs, reduces pollution, and builds more livable, inclusive communities. The Government of Canada is contributing over $650,000 to these projects, and the cities are contributing over $1.5 million to their respective projects.
“Today’s funding announcement for new public transit infrastructure in Spruce Grove, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc is a win-win for Albertans and for the environment. By upgrading public transit fleets, we are able to make it easier and more convenient for Canadians to choose greener and healthier ways to get to where they need to go.”
The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister and the Government of Canada’s Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“Building a new transit hub and park and ride facility in Spruce Grove will help to improve the accessibility of Spruce Grove Transit, and introducing Smart Fare technology will be an another step forward for convenience, cost-savings, and connectivity in our community and our neighbouring municipalities. This funding will support the construction of this new transit hub, as well as the purchase and installation of some of the necessary equipment to support the transition to Smart Fare. On behalf of Spruce Grove City Council, I’d like to thank the Government of Canada for this funding and their recognition of this important service and investment in our continued infrastructure growth.”
His Worship Stuart Houston, Mayor of Spruce Grove
“The Smart Fare program is an exciting milestone not only for transit users in the Edmonton region, but for the residents of Fort Saskatchewan. Making it easier to pay for transit means that our residents can travel with greater ease throughout the region, overall making it more attractive to take transit.”
Her Worship Gale Katchur, Mayor of Fort Saskatchewan
“The City of Leduc is pleased to receive funding support for the installation of Smart Bus and Smart Fare technology on Leduc Transit because it will improve our ability to provide a more modernized service and enhance our riders’ and operators’ experience.”
His Worship Bob Young, Mayor of Leduc
Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
$28.7 billion of this funding is supporting public transit projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
In Alberta, the Government of Canada has invested more than $5.1 billion in 440 infrastructure projects under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
In February 2021, the federal government announced $14.9 billion for public transit projects over the next eight years, including $3 billion per year in permanent funding for Canadian communities beginning in 2026-27. In March 2021, the Government of Canada announced $400 million of this funding will go towards active transportation to help build new and expanded networks of pathways, bike lanes, trails and pedestrian bridges.
Emelyana Titarenko
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Cell: 873-355-9576
Emelyana.Titarenko@infc.gc.ca
