Québec solidaire is asking on the Coalition Avenir Québec authorities to safe the province’s share of the brand new Canada Public Transit Fund, which got here into impact April 1, to handle the deteriorating state of the Montreal Metro system.
Co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal mentioned the federal government is delaying entry to roughly $5 billion in federal funding, including the cash belongs to Quebecers and noting different provinces have already moved ahead.
Her feedback got here hours after service throughout the metro community was quickly halted through the Thursday morning rush.
Ghazal mentioned Quebec ought to make investments the federal funds in public transit, significantly the Montreal Metro, and urged Premier Christine Fréchette to behave shortly.
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“I’m telling the CAQ that Montrealers usually are not below the opposite residents of Quebec,” mentioned Ghazal.
In an announcement to World Information, the provincial authorities mentioned discussions with Ottawa are progressing effectively and there’s no indication the funding won’t be forthcoming.
Ghazal additionally echoed considerations raised by Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, saying Montrealers ought to obtain their justifiable share of funding.
Based on the Société de transport de Montréal, 35 metro stations presently require repairs, together with 5 thought of pressing: De L’Église, Peel, Champ-de-Mars, Fabre and Saint-Michel.
In the meantime, Transit Alliance coordinator Francis Garnier mentioned greater than 800,000 commuters depend on the metro every day and warned that with out new funding, service disruptions may worsen and stations may face closure.
“If the Montreal Metro is just not working effectively, Montreal isn’t working effectively general,” mentioned Garnier.
He added that whereas funding for Quebec roads has elevated, funding in public transit has stagnated since 2013, contributing to the system’s decline.
“It wouldn’t have been in a state of disrepair if we had been cautious and if we had accomplished the right sustaining,” added Garnier.
The STM says it wants $600 million yearly over 10 years to keep up present infrastructure and repair ranges. Québec solidaire says these prices shouldn’t be handed on to taxpayers.
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