New buses for Sault Ste. Marie

New federal funding for Soo transit From CTV Northern Ontario’s Jairus Patterson: Sault transit receives much needed funding to replace aging equipment and garage repairs.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie is purchasing two new buses and eight refurbished ones after receiving nearly $1.5-million from the federal government.

Funding will be matched by the city, so the transit service will have nearly $3-million to spend.

To go along with the new buses, upgrades to the roof of the transit garage and other repairs will be made.   Those who work on the buses every day say the money is greatly needed.

Michael Vanderloo is a senior mechanic with the city’s transit service.

“It's going to give us some relief. It's a struggle sometimes, keeping them all going, just for the age of the fleet, time wise, conditions.” said Vanderloo.

Sault Ste. Marie Mayor, Christian Provenzano, says the money from Ottawa is really helpful.

"It’s a pretty old building, needs some work, but it's a good building. This money helps us buy two new buses, which is great because we often don't buy new buses. We have a lot of used buses in our fleet." said Provenzano.

The mayor says the average age for a bus is six years; however, the two buses being retired are entering their 19th year on the road.