Governments combine on $20.6M fund for North Bay transit upgrades

North Bay to get 8 new hybrid buses and transit upgrades through more than $20 million in federal, provincial and municipal funding.

North Bay, the province and the federal governments are each contributing to a combined fund of more than $20.6 million to pay for hybrid buses and municipal transit improvements.

The funds were announced Wednesday by Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli and Mayor Peter Chirico.

The goal is to make North Bay transit safer and easier while cutting down on carbon emissions.

“The investment will replace eight conventional buses with hybrid buses in the North Bay Transit fleet and support new sidewalks and stormwater system upgrades,” the federal government said in a news release.

The city will also use the funding to upgrade the transit terminal and its fare collection system.

“Transit is key to connecting and creating communities while also building them stronger,” Rochefort said in the release.

Reduce emissions, improve safety

“This new transit funding will make it safer and easier for people in our community to get where they need to go while reducing emissions.”

Fedeli is quoted as saying that the province is spending almost $70 billion to fund “the largest transit expansion in Canadian history.”

“Today’s investment will help upgrade and expand transit infrastructure in North Bay, connecting more people in our community to housing and jobs, supporting local businesses and growing North Bay’s economy while we work to protect Ontario against economic uncertainty and unjust U.S. tariffs,” Fedeli said.

Chirico said the money will help make the city’s transit system more sustainable and modern.

“From hybrid buses to upgraded infrastructure, these projects will make transit safer, more accessible, and more convenient for everyone,” he said.

“We’re grateful for the continued support through the ICIP program over the years, which has been instrumental in helping us strengthen our city’s transit network.”

In dollar terms, the feds are providing $8,362,099, the province $6,896,755 and North Bay $5,433,480.