To All Commissioners
Re: Public Transit Infrastructure Fund Program Update
Recommendation
That the report be NOTED and FILED.
Background
Phase I of the Federal Government’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) Program was rolled out in 2017, with LTC receiving confirmation of funding for projects on March 31, 2017. The initial program parameters called for all approved programs to be completed by the program deadline of March 31, 2018. Subsequent to the roll-out, a process for approved program modification requests was issued, which included the ability to extend programs to March 31, 2019, with the caveat that those programs being extended could only amount to 40% of the municipality’s total funding allocation. While this extension provided some relief to municipalities, many continued to be faced with extenuating circumstances which made it difficult to complete projects within the March 31, 2018 deadline. In light of these concerns, the Government of Canada has agreed to extend the PTIF Phase I program into a fourth year, allowing municipalities to incur eligible costs up to and including March 31, 2020.
In February of 2018, a project modification form was submitted to the Ministry of Transportation requesting an extension to the timelines for a number of LTC projects as listed below:
LON-020 Replacement of existing 8-line wayside transit information signs
LON-022 Replacement of current telephone system in use at London Transit
LON-023 Retrofit current bus fleet (110 buses) with perimeter seating
LON-030 Replacement of all 380 bus shelters currently in place in the City of London
LON-046 Supply and installation of 35 wayside transit information signs
LON-049 Purchase and installation of closed-circuit monitors for all 213 buses
On April 13, 2018, confirmation was received from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) that Infrastructure Canada had formally advised the Ministry of Infrastructure that Ontario has fulfilled the reporting requirements required as a condition to be eligible for an extension of the PTIF program to March 31, 2020. Once the bilateral agreement between Ontario and Canada has been amended to reflect the change in program length, the extension will apply to all approved projects. Recipients will be able to incur eligible project costs up to their approved project end date with March 31, 2020 as the latest possible date. The program extension approvals will require further administrative work with MTO which will be completed in cooperation with civic administration in the coming weeks.
LTC administration will take the necessary steps to award contracts and begin the work associated with projects LON-020, LON-046, and LON-049, noting the other projects on the list are already underway.
The following provides details with respect to the status of the LTC projects included on the PTIF work program.
Completed Projects
LON-019 Upgrade Automatic Vehicle Location/Communication System
LON-021 Upgrade of on-board bus audio/video recording system
LON-024 Asphalt repairs at both facilities
LON-026 Replacement of (2) hoists at Highbury facility
LON-028 Upgrade of Fuel Cardlock system at Highbury Facility
LON-029 Replacement of engines in buses
LON-031 Upgrades to file server and network switching infrastructure in use
LON-032 Replacement of bus wash infrastructure at Highbury Facility
LON-034 Replacement batteries for 8 Hybrid buses currently in fleet
LON-035 Replacement Dual Power Invertor Modules for 8 Hybrid buses
LON-036 Replacement of transmissions for 8 Hybrid buses
LON-039 Enclose existing structure at Wonderland to provide for additional storage
LON-040 Replace/repair existing perimeter fencing at Highbury Facility
LON-041 Replace security gate infrastructure at Highbury Facility
LON-042 Replacement of all (25) man doors at Highbury Facility
LON-043 Completion of concrete repair at Wonderland Facility
LON-044 Replacement of sewage pump infrastructure at the Wonderland Facility
LON-045 Renovation of reception area at Highbury Facility
LON-048 Purchase and installation of Automatic Passenger Counters for bus fleet
LON-050 Increased bus replacement program in 2017 to include 7 buses planned for 2018
Ongoing Projects
LON-025 Upgrade lighting to LED at both facilities – Wonderland facility upgrades complete, lighting for Highbury facility in progress.
LON-037 Replacement of the Autotechnik Joints for 9 articulated buses in the fleet – Parts have been received – work underway.
LON-047 Completion of a Facility Needs Assessment and detailed plan for Highbury Facility – Project underway.
LON-051 Increased bus replacement program in 2018 to include 7 buses planned for 2019 –Buses have been ordered, scheduled for delivery late 2018.
The first payment request has been completed and forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation. The request included all projects with expenditures up to and including the end of February 2018.
The Commission will be provided with updates on PTIF projects as appropriate going forward.
Recommended by:
Katie Burns – Director of Planning
Patrick Cormier – Manager of Information Services
Mike Gregor – Director of Finance
Craig Morneau – Director of Fleet & Facilities
Shawn Wilson – Director of Operations
Concurred in by:
Kelly S. Paleczny – General Manager