North Bay city council approved an execution by-law for funding through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund to support a number of local transit projects last night. Council is going to spend as much as $2.7 million on a dozen projects, with the federal government providing a little more than $1.2 million. The work includes a new electronic fare box system and security cameras for city buses, sidewalks on McKeown Avenue between Cartier Street and Champlain Street, 10 new bus shelters, and installing digital signage at key stops and transfer locations.
Councillor Mark King says this is a big deal for the city, and he expects all of the projects will get moving this year. King says the city is doing good work on the transit file, and mentioned how Toronto Transit recently won an award but North Bay has to be up there on that list. He says a lot of work has gone into getting the bus fleet up to snuff, and extending the fleet with new vehicles.
King is referring to other projects earmarked for the funding including replacing an existing parabus and purchasing an additional parabus. Some other projects that will get the green light thanks to the funding include enhancing the hoist system at the city’s fleet maintenance garage, improving the transit vehicle storage facility and enhancing the accessibility of bus stops around the city.
