Brampton receives funding for transit facility
The City of Brampton has received a significant funding boost from the federal and provincial governments to get a public-transit maintenance and storage facility built.
The governments announced the funding on April 15. The federal government will invest nearly $70 million through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario, meanwhile is providing $58.2 million, and the City of Brampton is contributing more than $46.6 million.
Phase 1 of the project calls for the construction of transit maintenance and storage facility of approximately 400,000 square feet that will be used by Brampton Transit. The building will include up to 36 maintenance bays and approximately 40 overhead garage doors to accommodate up to 250 standard 40-foot buses. The building will also include administrative and maintenance support space.
Work also includes installing fixed and mobile hoists, a vehicle inspection pit, an overhead crane, fuel storage and dispensing systems, a vehicle location and radio system, and backup electricity generation.
"Brampton Transit is one of the fastest-growing transit systems in Canada and the new facility will help support our accessible and connected transit network and create approximately 850 new Brampton jobs per year in its construction, and around 1,000 jobs when the facility is fully built and operating,” said Mayor Patrick Brown. “Building on our council's commitment to being a Green City, we continue to seek funding to electrify the facility."
The construction of the building will not only improve the capacity, quality and safety of public transit infrastructure for the City of Brampton, but it will also allow for the future installation of infrastructure to service electric buses, creating cleaner and more efficient transportation methods for residents. The city says it is seeking an extra $150 million to electrify the facility.
"Brampton is a leader in sustainability and it is only fitting that our transit network is well-connected and eco-friendly," said Paul Vicente, chair of public works and engineering at the city. "Brampton City Council is excited to receive support from all levels of government for Brampton Transit's third storage and maintenance facility, as we look forward to transitioning to an electric, zero-emission bus fleet and meeting our sustainability goals."
The funding is expected to cover the costs of building phase 1 of the facility. The building is targeted for construction in two phases starting in 2022, with phase 1 scheduled to open in late 2024.
It is not yet known where the building will be built.