Overview
As Alberta’s economy and population grow, public transportation provides safe, accessible, affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation options to connect Albertans to work, recreation, services and each other.
The Government of Alberta supports existing and developing public transportation systems across the province.
To date, the government has largely provided municipalities with funding for capital projects through programs such as the Green Transit Incentives Program (GreenTRIP) and the Municipal Sustainability Initiative.
Edmonton Valley Line West LRT
The Valley Line West LRT expansion will cover 14 km from downtown to Lewis Estates and, once completed, will provide greater transit options in the Edmonton region.
The province will be investing an estimated $1 billion to cover 40% of the $2.6-billion project cost. The City of Edmonton will be responsible for the remaining project costs.
Calgary Green Line LRT funding
$1.53 billion is being provided to help fund Stage 1 of the Calgary Green Line LRT.
The Green Line will help to safely and efficiently connect communities from 16th Avenue North through the downtown core to Shepard in the southeast. It will also support new, transit-oriented developments where people can live, work and play, and have access to jobs and services across Calgary.
Federal and provincial transit funding
On September 1, 2016, the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada signed a bilateral agreement that allows Alberta to access up to $347.2 million in federal funding through Phase One of the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund for transit projects in Alberta.
The federal government has also committed funding for water and wastewater infrastructure as part of the bilateral agreement with the Government of Alberta.
Combining federal investments in public transit, clean drinking water and water/wastewater projects within existing provincial budgets means more projects can move forward across the province.
On April 3, 2018, a new bilateral agreement was signed that allows Alberta to access up to $2.1 billion in federal funding over 10 years through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
Green Transit Incentives Program (GreenTRIP)
First announced in July 2008, GreenTRIP is a one-time, $2-billion program designed to support new and expanded municipal public transit projects.
The final-call approved projects were announced on December 3, 2016.
Rural Transportation Pilot Program
- Six pilot projects across the province received funding through the Rural Transportation Pilot Program to provide more transportation options for people in rural Alberta.
- The projects, 2 in each of the Camrose and Grande Prairie regions, one along Highway 3 between Medicine Hat and Lethbridge and one in Red Deer County, will run over 2 years to lay the foundation for potential future rural public transportation services in regions across Alberta.