Media Release: Eight new transit buses hit the streets of Charlottetown, Cornwall, and Stratford thanks to government funding (April 29, 2021)
Posted on 04/29/2021
Image of the new T3 transit bus in front of Stratford Town Centre

For immediate release

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, April 29, 2021 — The Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island, the City of Charlottetown, and the Towns of Stratford and Cornwall are making investments in public transit that will improve the transit user experience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while building a strong foundation for a sustainable economic future.

Officials gathered in Charlottetown today to celebrate the addition of eight buses to the T3 Transit fleet serving Charlottetown, Cornwall and Stratford. Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, joined the Honourable James Aylward, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure for Prince Edward Island, to mark the event. Also attending were Philip Brown, Mayor of Charlottetown; Minerva McCourt, Mayor of Cornwall; Steve Ogden, Mayor of Stratford; and Mike Cassidy, owner of T3 Transit.

The announced acquisition will feature two 40’ buses, four 35’ buses and two mini-buses, all of which offer tremendous improvements in fuel efficiency, accessibility and comfort. The buses will feature the SmartRider system, which provides a computer-controlled motion reduction system offering a smoother ride for passengers, new and improved fareboxes, as well as all the amenities that local riders have come to expect such as free Wi-Fi for passenger use, security cameras, Automatic Vehicle Location software (AVL), and bike racks. The buses are fully accessible with both kneeling and ramp extension capability to ensure accessibility for all users. The buses are also equipped with destination signs, which allow route descriptions to be displayed on exterior screens.

For public transit users, these new buses will accommodate current and future public transit ridership and greatly improve the overall travel experience. For T3 Transit, it will reduce maintenance costs, improve fleet management and tracking, and allow T3 to decommission and perform maintenance on its older buses.

Quick fact(s)

  • Funding breakdown: The Government of Canada contributed $1,923,182.61. The Province of Prince Edward Island contributed $1,602,491.91. The City of Charlottetown contributed $961,711.50. The Town of Stratford contributed $192,342.30. The Town of Cornwall contributed $128,228.20. This includes contributions for both the full size, and the mini-buses.

Quotes
“Investments in public transit are essential here on PEI. We all know how important it is to have a reliable and accessible method of transportation, and this funding for eight new transit buses in the Capital Area will help make sure residents in our community will be able to continue to get where they need to go. This is just one of the more than 140 projects we’ve invested in here on the Island, and they will continue to help make our Province a better place to live for years to come.”
The Honourable Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque, Prince Edward Island, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities


“Public transit is important – it contributes to cleaner air, safer streets, access to opportunity and the freedom to move between Stratford, Charlottetown and Cornwall. These new buses will be a tremendous asset, and I am so pleased our government was able to help make this possible.”
The Honourable James Aylward, Prince Edward Island Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure


“We are excited to see a successful business that provides critical services continuing to grow in our City and region. The City of Charlottetown is very happy to contribute close to $1 million. Investing in local transit helps create jobs, increases accessibility for City residents, and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Together, we can build a more sustainable transit system, a more accessible City and a cleaner environment.”
Philip Brown, Mayor of Charlottetown


“The addition of these new transit buses will greatly improve the experience of residents of Stratford who continue to use transit on a regular basis. The expansion of the existing fleet will provide opportunities for us to look at further transit options in the Town in the years to come, and overall is both a needed and worthwhile investment.”
Steve Ogden, Mayor of Stratford


“The Town of Cornwall is excited for the new equipment and this next step in the Town’s partnership with T3 Transit, City of Charlottetown and Town of Stratford. Transit gives residents an environmentally friendly option for their commute. We look forward to seeing the new buses on the roads and the purchases of electric buses in the future."
Minerva McCourt, Mayor of Cornwall


"T3 Transit has been operating municipal transit services for 16 years and today it makes me proud to see these new state of the art buses ready, willing and able to provide service to the communities of Cornwall, Charlottetown and Stratford for many years to come...made possible with the cooperation of all three levels of government, a tremendous T3 employee team and a dedicated customer support base."
Mike Cassidy, T3 Transit Owner/Operator

Associated links:
Public Transit Infrastructure Fund: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/ptif-fitc/ptif-program-programme-eng.html

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Contacts

Chantalle Aubertin
Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-941-0660 [email protected]

Autumn Tremere
Senior Communications Officer
Transportation and Infrastructure
902-368-5112
[email protected]

Robbie Doherty
Communications Coordinator
City of Charlottetown
902-629-4149
[email protected]

Wendy Watts
Community and Business Engagement Manager
Town of Stratford
902-569-6921
wwatts@townofstratford

Tracey MacLean
Engagement Coordinator
Town of Cornwall
902-566-2354
[email protected]

Mike Cassidy
Owner
T3 Transit
902-393-0139

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
[email protected]
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

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