On July 17th, 2024 the federal government launched the Canada Public Transit Fund, a new approach to providing consistent and reliable funding to cities, regions, rural areas, and Indigenous communities for transit and active transportation infrastructure. The fund includes $30 billion to be spent over the next decade. These funds will be important to addressing emissions from the transportation sector, one of the biggest sources of pollution in the country.
In the City of Ottawa, transportation accounts for 42% of our community greenhouse gas emissions. To meet net-zero targets it is essential that our public transit vehicles are low or zero-emission and that residents can make more of their daily trips using sustainable transportation like transit, walking, and cycling. This significant investment will help cities on both fronts.
The funding, which will average $3 billion per year, will go towards improving transit options in Canada’s largest metro regions, funding baseline investments in public transit and active transportation, and targeted funding for specific priorities including zero emission solutions.
An important element of the funding is its connection with housing. Housing and transportation are interconnected (where we live impacts our travel options and travel options can determine where we live) but these issues have typically been addressed and funded separately. To be eligible for this new funding, municipalities must make it easier and less expensive to build housing near transit.
The Canada Public Transit Fund builds on the expiring Active Transportation Fund that provided $400 million dollars to communities to improve active travel facilities and engagement. It is not clear if the new fund will ensure a certain amount be dedicated to active transportation, but advocates have asked that at least 10% of funding be devoted to making it easier for people to walk, bike, and roll. All transit riders use active transportation to get to and from their destinations so linking these investments together and making sure they each receive funding is important.
While this is welcome news, it is important to note that reliable and affordable public transit relies on operational funding. Transit authorities need operating funds to pay the employees required to drive buses and trains. Transit riders and environmental groups have warned that investing in new vehicles, but not drivers could lead to more buses and trains sitting on the sidelines rather than serving their communities.
What does this new funding mean for Ottawa?
It seems likely that the city and region could apply for funding for projects like:
- Infrastructure for a bus rapid transit system
- Zero-emission buses
- Accelerating improvements to the active transportation network
- Capital expenses for a regional bike share system
- O-Train Phase 3
- And other priorities established via the city’s current Transportation Master Plan update: Provide your input until August 30, 2024
The next decade is critical to reaching climate goals and this funding will help us get there.
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