News

• News
• January 15, 2018

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Ontario Investing in Major New Rapid Transit Line in London

New London BRT will Manage Congestion, Make Commuting Faster

Ontario is investing in the London Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)—a major new transit project that will connect people in London with work, school, appointments and activities faster, while increasing transit ridership and helping manage congestion.

Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca and MPP for London North Centre Deb Matthews were in London today to announce that the province is funding the new transit project.

The BRT system will provide commuters with 23.7 kilometres of rapid transit along London’s busiest corridors, connecting neighbourhoods, businesses and post-secondary institutions in the city to the downtown core. It builds on other major transit projects across the region, including continued progress on a new high speed rail line that would cut travel times between London and Toronto to 73 minutes. Together, these investments will help create a rapid transit network in London that connects key hubs of economic, academic and social and cultural activity.

Building faster public transit is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

 

QUOTES

“The Ontario government is providing up to $170 million to support London’s BRT system. We want to ensure that neighbourhoods in London can thrive and prosper through better and more efficient transit infrastructure that will help get people where they need to go faster and easier. Our government’s investments in public transit will help us manage congestion, curb emissions, create more jobs and build better communities.”

— Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation

 

“Today’s announcement is great news for Londoners and our economy. This investment in our transit system will make London a more competitive and attractive location for business. Having access to rapid transit will improve the quality of life for those that work and live in London.”

— Deb Matthews, MPP for London North Centre

 

“It is a huge day for London. This is going to provide Londoners with better transit everywhere, this system is the cornerstone of The London Plan and will change the way we move and grow This $170-million represents the single largest investment our provincial partners have ever made in our community. Thank you to our partners at Queen’s Park for sharing Council’s vision for our city.”

 — Matt Brown, Mayor of London

 

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario is investing $170 million to build the new London BRT system.
• The total estimated cost for London’s BRT system is $498 million. The City of London has committed $130 million towards the capital costs.
• The City of London will be responsible for all the ongoing operating and maintenance costs of the project.
• Construction is phased and estimated to begin on the east corridor in 2020 and on the north corridor in 2022, with the opening of these corridors in 2023 and 2026 respectively. Construction would then begin on the south corridor in 2023 and on the west corridor in 2025, and open by 2026 and 2028.
• Under the Gas Tax Program, Ontario also provided the City of London with more than $119 million for the improvement and expansion of public transit since 2004.

 

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