Ottawa has allocated millions of dollars to go towards the Halifax Regional Municipality‘s (HRM) public transit system.
The municipality will receive an annual funding allocation through the new Canada Public Transit Fund’s Baseline Funding stream for over 10 years, totaling $55 million.
The funding will help upgrade, replace, or modernize the municipality’s public transit infrastructure, and maintain it in a state of good repair.
“Stable and predictable funding for public transit is essential to keeping our communities connected and our economy moving,” said Darren Fisher, minister of Veterans Affairs and MP for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, in a news release Monday.
“This $55 million investment will help modernize our municipality’s transit system, reduce congestion, and support housing growth near transit.”
The funding, which the HRM will receive between 2026 and 2036, is conditional on the submission of a capital plan and the signing of a funding agreement between the recipient and Canada.
For years, staff shortages with Halifax Transit have plagued the transit system, especially the two ferry crossings between Halifax and Dartmouth.
“This infrastructure money will range from buying electric buses to investments in stops, to personnel, to public safety on routes,” said Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore.
“This is giving them that predictability,” said Fisher. “That ability to plan five years down the road, six years down the road.”
However, exactly how that money will be allocated and when remains up for discussion.
“This gives us an opportunity to comfortably make right decisions on what our transit needs are,” said Robin Gerus, executive director at Halifax Transit.
“I wouldn’t want to prioritize it right now until I have a conversation with my management team, but we have a lot we can use it for and we’re very grateful.”
The HRM has seen a significant population increase over the last several years – with about half-a-million people now calling it home.
Halifax Transit hopes the money will help catch up – and keep up – with the city’s growth and provide the company an opportunity to bring back the faith or transit riders.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Hafsa Arif.
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