City to replace buses, improve scheduling with help of federal funds
By Medicine Hat News on July 5, 2024.
@MedicineHatNews The city has received nearly $2.7 million in federal funding to put toward two transit projects. The funding, received through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s (ICIP) Public Transit Infrastructure Stream, will provide transit bus replacements and a transit scheduling system to MHT. Out of the $8,156,000 total eligible cost, the Government of Canada will be providing roughly 33 per cent, for a total of $2,669,586. The remaining $5,486,414 will be provided by the City of Medicine Hat. “As communities in Alberta continue to grow, it is vital to have active and rural public transportation infrastructure that meets their evolving needs,” said the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “Our government’s investment will encourage Albertans to be active and healthy and contribute to a cleaner environment, creating more resilient and stronger communities for everyone,” said Boissonnault. Most of this funding will be used for the Transit Bus Replacements project, which will replace 12 aging transit assets; two paratransit buses and 10 additional buses. The goal of these gradual replacements is to ensure residents can continue to rely on service. “The city would like to recognize the Government of Canada for their thoughtfulness and foresight in creating this funding stream,” said Cory Earle, manager of fleet services with the City of Medicine Hat. “Replacing transit assets is a necessary, yet costly undertaking for municipalities. With this funding, the city can maintain the quality and longevity of our transit fleet in a cost-effective manner.” The two paratransit buses are expected to arrive in late 2024 or early 2025, with the other buses to arrive at a rate of two per year from 2025 to 2029. The remaining funds will be used for the Transit Scheduling System project, which will include one-time purchase of four years of consulting and scheduling services, as well as necessary tools. The purchased software will collect data to be used by dispatchers to improve quality and efficiency of the city’s existing public transit. It is anticipated software will be operational and in use in advance of the annual September shift schedule change. 12-11
