Cold Lake has gone two for two in applying for provincial grants aiding the local bus system.
Both the Core-Fleet Replacement application as well as a second application to introduce real-time GPS scheduling for all buses got the provincial thumbs-up . The grant money totals over 1 million dollars in Federal and Provincial support for Cold Lake Transit.
“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.
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 will be on-standby for particularly busy events 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.”