From major rail infrastructure in Québec City to preparations for increased commuting in Ottawa and fleet modernization in Stratford, communities across Canada are taking steps to strengthen public transit and respond to evolving mobility needs.

These recent developments demonstrate how investments in infrastructure, service planning and customer experience can help transit systems prepare for growth while delivering more reliable, accessible and sustainable transportation.

TramCité reaches an important project milestone

Québec City’s TramCité project has reached another significant milestone following the awarding of a systems and rail contract to AtkinsRéalis and Siemens Mobility.

Working together under the Connexion Capitale partnership, the companies will contribute expertise in rail systems integration, signalling, communications, electrification and major-project delivery. Their responsibilities will include implementing the project’s rail systems and technologies, overseeing network testing and commissioning, and supporting long-term maintenance.

The contract will be delivered through a progressive design-build model, which supports collaboration and early coordination throughout the project’s development.

TramCité is planned as a 19-kilometre urban tramway network in Québec City. The project is jointly led by the Government of Québec, the City of Québec and CDPQ Infra, with financial support from the Government of Canada.

As the project moves forward, this latest contract represents an important step toward delivering a modern rail network that will support mobility and growth in the Québec City region.

Ottawa prepares for increased fall travel demand

The City of Ottawa is also preparing for an expected increase in travel this fall as federal employees spend more time working in person, students return to school and regular post-summer travel patterns resume.

Through its Transportation and Mobility Strategy and Action Plan, the city is looking at measures to help residents manage their daily trips and keep people moving across the transportation network.

The nearly $29-million plan includes initiatives involving public transit, traffic operations, parking and active transportation. The coordinated approach recognizes that managing increased demand requires multiple transportation options and stronger connections between them.

For public transit, preparing for predictable changes in ridership and traffic patterns is essential to maintaining reliable service and supporting commuters. Ottawa’s plan highlights the importance of proactive service planning as travel behaviour continues to evolve.

Stratford invests in a greener and more accessible transit system

In Stratford, the federal, provincial and municipal governments have announced a joint investment of more than $9.7 million in 14 public transit projects. The funding includes approximately $3.9 million from the federal government, $3.3 million from Ontario and $2.6 million from the City of Stratford.

The investment will support the replacement and expansion of Stratford’s transit fleet. Planned purchases include conventional hybrid and hybrid-electric buses, replacement mobility buses and an additional accessible mobility vehicle.

Funding will also support upgrades to transit facilities, including the modernization and expansion of a transit garage, an expanded bus-storage facility and the replacement of fuel tanks and bus-washing equipment.

Improvements designed to enhance the rider experience include upgraded GPS systems, the installation or improvement of 20 transit stops with shelters, and a new mobile application to help riders plan and complete their trips more independently.

Together, these projects will help Stratford provide more reliable, accessible and environmentally sustainable service while preparing its transit system for future growth.

Building stronger transit systems

Although these initiatives vary in scale, they share a common objective: ensuring that public transit can respond to the needs of growing and changing communities.

Major rail projects require long-term planning and specialized expertise. Periods of increased travel demand require coordinated operational responses. Smaller and mid-sized communities need sustained capital funding to renew fleets, improve accessibility and modernize passenger infrastructure.

Together, the developments in Québec City, Ottawa and Stratford show how strategic planning and investment can create stronger transit networks and improve the way Canadians move through their communities.