New Accessible Vehicles for Reliable GoBus Paratransit Services in St. John’s

  • Children, Seniors and Social Development
  • Transportation and Infrastructure

August 6, 2021

Today, the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure; the Honourable Bernard Davis, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Environment and Climate Change; the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South – Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; and Danny Breen, Mayor of St. John’s, announced joint funding to replace St. John’s paratransit vehicles.

Through this investment, the paratransit fleet of buses used in the GoBus service in St. John’s and Mount Pearl will be replaced with Metrobus purchasing up to 18 new accessible paratransit vehicles. The new buses will ensure paratransit users continue to have access to the reliable transportation services they need.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $1.1 million in this project through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is providing over $755,000, while the City of St. John’s is contributing more than $377,000.

Quotes
“Our government works with municipalities in all areas of the province so that we can provide better infrastructure and services for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. By replacing the accessible paratransit fleet with newer vehicles, we are proactively ensuring the GoBus service can continue without disruption for everyone who depends on it.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“I am delighted that the Go-Bus para-transit system, which is operating in St. John’s and Mount Pearl, is receiving new funding to replace the paratransit fleet of buses. Go-Bus provides a parallel, public transit system for persons with disabilities who often experience barriers accessing the public transit system safely and with dignity. In Budget 2021, my Department’s Disability Policy Office provided $94,500 to Metrobus through the Paratransit Grant to ensure equitable paratransit for residents in these areas.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Status of Person with Disabilities

“Accessible public transit is important to promote inclusive economic growth. The new paratransit vehicles will ensure Metrobus can continue to offer modern and reliable services to residents living with limited mobility. It is projects like this one that make communities stronger and more resilient.”
Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South – Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“Thank you to our federal and provincial government partners for this significant investment to upgrade the GoBus transportation fleet. Ensuring that residents of all ages and abilities have access to safe and affordable transportation is critical to the health of our community. As part of our 10-year strategic plan, the City of St. John’s is committed to building a balanced transportation network to get people and goods where they want to go safely, and this announcement today will help us fulfil this mandate.”
Danny Breen
Mayor of St. John’s

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Learn more
Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador Invest in Public Infrastructure and Public Transit for the St. John’s Metropolitan Area

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map

Federal infrastructure investments in Newfoundland and Labrador

Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan

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2021 08 06 1:38 pm