BACKGROUNDER
2009OTP0072-000798 April 9, 2009	Office of the Premier Government of Canada TransLink
EXPANSION OF LOWER MAINLAND TRANSIT

The Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and TransLink have identified improvements to transit security on the Advanced Light Rail Transit (ALRT) Network as a priority for infrastructure funding consideration.

 

Federal funding is subject to the projects meeting all federal eligibility requirements of the Building Canada Fund and the signing of a contribution agreement with the Province of British Columbia.

 

Beyond this funding announcement, the Government of Canada is taking important steps to support economic growth. Canada’s Economic Action Plan, announced in Budget 2009, is a balanced stimulus plan that includes massive investments in infrastructure, tax relief and transfers. This plan will provide close to $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years which will address needs in communities across Canada, as well as contributing to long-term economic growth through investments in public infrastructure, such as roads, water treatment, green energy and transit.

 

Transit Security: ALRT Network

This project will convert the current payment system on the Advanced Light Rail Transit (ALRT) Network to a system that uses gates to control access to station platforms. The project will also introduce electronic smart cards as the mode of payment. These improvements will not only enhance security for passengers but will also ensure that all users pay the fare to use the ALRT Network.

 

There are up to 49 stations to be upgraded including the implementation of an electronic smart card payment system throughout Metro Vancouver’s transit service area.

 

Funding for the Faregates-Smartcards Project is a joint partnership between the Government of Canada, British Columbia and Translink.  The Province is investing up to $40 million and the Government of Canada has committed up to $30 million to a maximum of one-third of eligible costs in this project.   

 

The total cost of the improvements to transit security on the ALRT Network is $100 million.

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Media contact:	Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177	Media Relations Transport Canada, Ottawa 613 991-0700
	Jeff Knight Communications Manager Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure 250 356-7707	Ken Hardie Director of Communications TransLink 604 453-4606
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.