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KAMLOOPS – The Province has approved an additional $10 million in spending for BC Transit, including $3 million to help cover higher fuel and maintenance costs, Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon announced today.
“Public transit is vital to our transportation infrastructure,” said Falcon. “That’s why we are providing additional funding to ensure BC Transit can meet the demands of rising costs and route expansions, as well as providing new innovations for users.”
The $10 million comes from the sale of surplus lands. In addition to the $3 million for fuel costs, the spending includes $5 million for 27 new buses for communities that have seen significant increases in transit use, $1 million for alternative fuel system partnerships, and $1 million to fund partnerships with vehicle and component technology suppliers to enhance transit efficiency, effectiveness and environmental standards.
“We are always looking at ways to incorporate new technologies and improve service,” said BC Transit Board chair Greg Slocombe. “Authorizing BC Transit to access this funding will ensure that we can add new vehicles to the fleet, maintain our services and meet the growing demands.”
Provincial funding for BC Transit core services has increased every year since 2003. This year, base funding for transit services is $49.3 million, an increase of $4.7 million or 10.5 per cent in the past four years.
BC Transit delivers transit services in more than 50 communities.
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contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Transportation 250 387-7787 |
Senior Vice President BC Transit 250 995-5610 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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