New transit centre to be built in Kamloops

February 22, 2010

KAMLOOPS – A new operations and maintenance facility for the Kamloops Transit System will be built, thanks to investments from Canada, British Columbia and the City of Kamloops.

Making the announcement today was Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, together with Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake and City of Kamloops Mayor Peter Milobar.

The new Kamloops Transit Centre will include an administration and maintenance building, service bays, diesel fuelling station, wash bay, storage area and parking. The proposed location is adjacent to the current transit facility at 1550 Ord Road and is expected to house the Kamloops Transit System for 25 years. This year, more than three million passengers will use the system.

“The Government of Canada is proud to be investing in this new transit facility because it will bring short and long-term benefits to Kamloops.  The facility will create jobs, support the local economy, and improve the transit system for years to come,” said MP McLeod.  “Under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government is investing in a number of important projects in Kamloops, including the city’s wastewater system, Highway 1 improvements, and Rayleigh Slo-Pitch Park.”
   
“The Province and its partners are helping communities throughout British Columbia expand and improve their public transit,” said Lake. “The new Kamloops Transit Centre will help ensure continued excellent transit services for the people of Kamloops.”

“A good transit system requires good infrastructure,” said Krueger. “The Province is committed to enhancing public transit for the benefit of Kamloops and all B.C. communities.”

Construction of the new Kamloops Transit Centre is expected to begin this spring with completion scheduled for the fall of 2011.

“Kamloops is committed to continuous improvement of our transit system to provide affordable and reliable transportation for our residents,” said Milobar. “With the funding received from the governments of Canada and British Columbia and the City of Kamloops, we can move forward to provide the infrastructure needed to support current and future expansion plans.”

“In order for Kamloops’ transit system to grow, it’s important that we have the infrastructure to support it,” said Manuel Achadinha, President and CEO of BC Transit. “This facility will meet the expanded needs of today and address the demands of the future.”

Funding for the $13.1 million Kamloops Transit Centre is provided by the Government of Canada through the Building Canada Fund, Major Infrastructure Component ($4 million), the Province ($4.3 million) and the City of Kamloops ($4.8 million).

For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit: www.actionplan.gc.ca. 

The website www.creatingjobs.gc.ca has more information on federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia.