Provincial government invests $170 million in BRT project

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: JEN DOEDE
On Jan. 15, the Minister of Transportation announced that the provincial government would contribute $170 million towards the city's BRT project that is set to begin construction in 2020.

Earlier this week, the Minister of Transportation, Steven Del Duca, revealed that the provincial government will be investing $170 million into London's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The project will provide London with new bus routes (with buses having their own lane in certain areas) that will improve the transit system by removing congestion, increasing transit capacity and providing faster arrival times. According to an Ontario government press release, the transit project, dubbed Shift, is part of the provincial government's plan to create fairness and opportunity in the province while it is in the midst of economic change.

According to a Jan. 16 London Free Press article, the $170 million investment is the largest investment the provincial government has ever made towards the Forest City.

The government of Ontario's Jan. 15 press release, focusing on London, stated in their quick fact section, that London's new BRT system will cost approximately $498 million in total. In addition to the provincial government investing $170 million into the project, the City of London will finance $130 million towards the initiative. As a result, London will need about $200 million from the federal government for the project.

“Today's announcement is great news for London 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 that work and life in London,” MPP for London North Centre, Deb Matthews, said in the press release.

Construction for the project is scheduled to begin in 2020.