This release was issued under a previous government.
The Redford Government is providing some early assurances in support of the Valley Line LRT to help ensure this visionary project, which involves both municipal and federal partners, moves ahead in a timely matter.
The province has committed:
- up to $250 million under GreenTRIP over three years beginning in 2016-17 upon approval under the second call for GreenTRIP projects,
- up to $150 million in matching provincial funding if the federal government approves this project under the new Building Canada Fund beginning in 2016-17, and
- up to $200 million in an interest-free loan to be repaid by the city over 10 years, fully backed by the Alberta Capital Finance Authority (ACFA).
“Alberta is preparing to welcome a million new residents over the next decade, many of whom will be choosing communities like Edmonton as their home. Our Building Alberta Plan is helping municipalities build public transit systems to accommodate growth and make it easier for Albertans of all ages and levels of mobility to get where they need to go.”
“This is great news for the City of Edmonton and the entire Capital region. Our constituents have told us time and time again that they want access to a world class transit system and this funding arrangement proves the Redford government is committed to achieving this goal."
"This is one substantive commitment reflecting the constructive relationship between the Government of Alberta and municipalities."
“Municipalities can start sharpening their pencils as we invite the second call for GreenTRIP applications starting April 15, 2014, and we are excited to see more innovative and sustainable projects in communities across Alberta. We are also looking forward to the opening of Edmonton’s Metro LRT Line, which is Alberta’s largest GreenTRIP-funded project, by this summer.”
Albertans are already seeing the benefits of GreenTRIP through 15 new transit projects, worth more than $1 billion, which have already been approved since the first call for applications. Just under $1 billion remains in the program.
GreenTRIP is one of the many programs municipalities can access to support their local priorities. Municipalities can apply for GreenTRIP funding to help purchase transit vehicles and technologies, build transit terminals and expand light rail transit services.
Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.
Related information
GreenTRIP By-the-Numbers (pdf)
Multimedia
Watch: Alberta's Capital Plan
Backgrounder
$1 Billion in GreenTRIP funding across Alberta
2013
March 26 – City of Leduc & Leduc County – $3.4 million
Four low-floor buses, five commuter shuttle buses, four park and ride facilities, construction of a transit garage, bus shelters and bus stops will help expand “C-Line” intermunicipal bus service between Leduc and Edmonton
- This service offers residents and workers an expanded transit network that provides better service to Nisku and the International Airport, two of the county’s highest-density employment areas.
2012
December 11 – City of Calgary – $473 million
Complete construction of the West LRT line, purchase 50 LRT cars, and fund the pre-design of the Southeast Transitway (SETWAY) project
- When it opened in December 2013, it was expected to carry 25,000 passengers along just over eight kilometers in just 12 minutes. Ridership is projected to grow to over 40,000 passengers per day over the next few years.
January 25 – Airdrie – $2.8 million
Three articulating low-floor buses and eight community shuttle buses that are currently in use, and funding toward improvements previously made to a bus garage and maintenance facility
- Provides good transportation choices for residents who work in Calgary.
2011
September 16 – Medicine Hat – $2.7 million
Two low-floor transit buses, solar-lit transit shelters, bus garage/maintenance facility, and mobile data terminals with GPS on buses
- Funding further enhances the City’s efforts to make the right environmental and sustainable energy decisions while improving transit service.
September 15 – Red Deer – $12.1 million
40 new low-floor transit buses
- New buses are connecting communities and moving more people to more places and the clean diesel technology also means substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
August 9 – Cochrane – $6.1 million
Four double-deck transit buses and four community shuttle buses, public transit terminal, and bus storage and maintenance facility design
- Transit is a key component to the town’s economic development that allows growth and green the economy as well as enhancing residents’ quality of life.
August 8 – Lethbridge – $6.1 million
10 hybrid low-floor transit buses and five hybrid para-transit buses, and mobile data terminals with GPS for 43 transit buses and 20 para-transit buses
- Improves the quality of life for residents while reducing the impact on the environment.
July 29 – Fort McMurray – $35.9 million
Low-emission low-floor transit buses for Fort McMurray and a transit vehicle maintenance and storage garage
- Buses are fully accessible and incorporate fuel efficient clean diesel technologies that help the community toward achieving its goal to become Canada’s most sustainable municipality.
July 20 – Hinton – $109,000
Bus stop seating and shelters, transit hub accessibility features and bear-proof receptacles, as well as passenger safety items for buses
- Improvements helped to address important transportation needs for many residents.
June 23 – Banff – $450,000 and Canmore – $450,000
One low-floor transit bus for joint transit service in the Bow Valley
- The new service provides much needed transit service to residents in the communities as well as the increasing number of visitors to Banff National Park.
June 9 – Grande Prairie – $1.1 million
Four new low-floor buses for Grande Prairie Transit
- Expands services to provide more opportunities for residents to use transit.
April 20 – Strathcona County – $13.6 million
Strathcona Park and Ride Terminal
- A 1,200 parking stall waiting area, a passenger pick-up and drop-off area and pedestrian/bicycle access make it easier for more residents to use public transit and helps promote Strathcona County as a vibrant place to live.
April 5 – Edmonton – $497 million
LRT system expansion to NAIT project
- An important contribution as Edmonton moves towards its vision of being an increasingly vibrant, innovative and sustainable city that enhances the high quality of life for Edmontonians.
City of St. Albert – Funding to be determined
Funding has been approved in principle for the City of St. Albert’s new transit terminal and Park and Ride facility west of Campbell Road at the future intersection of 153 Ave. and Campbell Rd. The amount of funding to be approved for the project is yet to be determined.