Hybrid buses among major purchases made by city

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The federal government has finally settled up on an IOU to the City of Toronto for public transit funding.

Mayor David Miller and Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, were at the Malvern Garage to officially sign the agreement giving the city $303.5 million as part of the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF). Also on hand were TTC Chair Adam Giambrone, Jim Flaherty, Finance Minister and Minister Responsible for the GTA, and Jim Bradley, Ontario Minister of Transportation.

Giambrone said the money was announced several years ago and has already been spent on buses, although he was still pleased to see it made official.

"What it shows is they follow through on an announcement," he said. "Could it have come faster? Absolutely. That doesn't undercut the fact that today's announcement is good for the city and transit.

"You always want things to move faster, we're just happy the money has come," Giambrone added. "There's no new money, but it's important to actually have the money,"

Miller also had words of thanks.

"When the federal government delivers $300 million to Toronto and the federal government acknowledges that transit is of national importance and when the federal government acknowledges that cities need sustained permanent sources of revenue that's a day to say thank you, and that's what I'm saying today." Miller said.

He was also pleased the federal government used the opportunity to announce the portion of the gas tax given to municipalities to help with transit can be counted on as a permanent source of funding.

Between 2005 and 2009 the federal government is providing Toronto with $407.3 million, which the city is allocating entirely to public transit. Giambrone said it's clear to anyone who uses the TTC that improvements were and are needed; because of the CSIF funding buses are being replaced with new, environmentally friendly hybrid models.

"We're able to take one of the oldest fleets and make it one of the newest," he said.

So far, 260 new buses have been purchased with a total of nearly 400 to be on the road by the end of the year. The TTC plans to have 45 per cent of the bus fleet made up of hybrids (the fleet currently stands at 1,600) by 2010.

The switch to hybrids will also help decrease operating costs as it means a reduction in fuel use of 10 to 30 per cent, Giambrone said.

Federal officials emphasized the importance of the announcement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and congestion on roads, which will benefit the environment.

"I'm pleased to be a signatory to the transit agreement with the City of Toronto," Cannon said. "It means more people using public transit and that helps clean up the air we breathe."

Miller agreed the money not only helps transit, but also the environment.

"The announcement here helps to fulfill the commitment made by our council to be a leader in climate change by getting people our of their cars and onto transit," he said.

The funding provided by both the gas tax fund and the CSIF contribute to: the purchase of 1,000 new hybrid and clean diesel buses; 234 new subway cars; 90 new Wheel-Trans vehicles; bus rapid transit development on Yonge Street from Finch Avenue to Steeles Avenue and from Downsview Station to York University; the St. Clair Avenue West Transit Improvement Project; improved accessibility at subway stations; and upgrading of subway and streetcar infrastructure.