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BC Liberal Government Provides $50 Million to Expand Green Transit

Sept. 28, 2007

VANCOUVER – The Province will provide an additional $50 million this year for BC Transit to purchase new, clean buses and expand public transit service across B.C., Premier Gordon Campbell announced today at the Union of BC Municipalities convention.

“In the coming weeks, we will lay out our vision for transit,” said Campbell. “It will be on a scale and scope aimed at making our province a global leader in public transit. Today I can tell you we will also act to help communities across B.C. upgrade their bus fleets.”

Campbell confirmed that the Province will ensure the Evergreen Line is built as soon possible, connecting neighbourhoods in Coquitlam, Port Moody and Burnaby with SkyTrain.

“Today, the percentage of transit ridership in the Metro Vancouver region is about 12 per cent. The leading cities of the world, be they London, Paris or Hong Kong, see ridership in the 20 to 25 per cent range,” said Campbell.

Campbell said the Province will proceed with the Gateway Program, including the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge, which will re-establish rapid bus service transit across the span for the first time in 20 years. Up to 2,700 transit passengers per hour will benefit. For the first time ever, it will create a safe, new cycling network across the Fraser River from Langley to Vancouver.

“That project will relieve congestion, reduce emissions from idling, lower travel costs and strengthen our goods movement capabilities,” said Campbell.

The Gateway Program includes the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge, North and South Fraser Perimeter Roads and a new Pitt River Bridge and Mary Hill Interchange.

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Authorized By Jim Pipe, Financial Agent BC Liberal Party.
Tel: 604.606.6000, 1.800.567.2257