Mayor Jim Harrison made the announcement flanked by MP Neil Ellis and MPP Todd Smith. (Photo: Ryan Peddigrew/Quinte News)
The City of Quinte West has announced some major upgrades coming to its public transit system with the help of the federal and provincial governments.
The funding totals nearly $1.7 million from all three levels of government with Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison, MP Neil Ellis and MPP Todd Smith making the announcement Wednesday at Quinte West city hall. There is $660,500 coming from the federal level, $550,400 coming from the provincial government and the City of Quinte West is contributing $440,400.
The improvements include the purchase of four new buses, one new para-transit bus, bike racks, new bus shelters, safety upgrades and a new payment system called “Smart Card”. The Smart Card payment system does away with coins and will allow all the transit to work around payment cards making it safer and more clean. A feasibility study is also part of the plan to inform route and transit planning.
The upgrades will also make it easier to get around in Quinte West and for students who live in the city to get to Loyalist College.
“The announcement today does bus shelters, it does new buses, it brings a better service. It’s offering a better service to Loyalist College, cross-service between the county and the City of Belleville. It’s a win-win for everybody” said Ellis of the improvements.
Officials also hope that the improvements will lead to a transit link throughout the Bay of Quinte in the future.
