OTTAWA – The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) endorses comments and recommendations made by ATUQ following the recent budget review by the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable (MTMD).

The Quebec government plays a fundamental role in the development and supervision of public transit in the province, and it is therefore imperative for government authorities to continually reaffirm their share of responsibility. Last March, Quebec’s Minister of Transport criticized the federal government’s disengagement from funding public transit. It’s a shame that her recent remarks on the Quebec government’s role in public transit cast serious doubt on her own government’s commitment.

“As ATUQ points out, the 2024 budget was an opportunity to strengthen this collaborative relationship with transit agencies, but the measures taken have instead generated considerable concern,” said Marco D’Angelo, CUTA president and CEO.

ATUQ members stressed the importance of increasing the sums available for asset maintenance to achieve targets set out in the transit companies’ investment plans. No increase was signaled, and the government announced a $400 million reduction in the funds earmarked for asset maintenance. This represents the lowest amount since at least 2013, while the need to maintain assets is steadily increasing.

Public transit funding plays a pivotal role in supporting Quebec’s growing communities. A lack of urgently needed support for transit can lead to far-reaching effects on mobility and affordability. CUTA supports ATUQ in reiterating the need for the government to be highly involved, both financially and politically, in public transit funding.

Finally, CUTA wishes to reiterate ATUQ’s comment on the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders involved in maintaining and growing public transit networks in Quebec and Canada. CUTA encourages the Quebec government to assume a convening role in this process.

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Media Contact:
Jon MacMull
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Canadian Urban Transit Association
[email protected]