OTTAWA - The country's municipal transit systems will need $40.1 billion for upkeep and expansion over the next five years, the Canadian Urban Transit Association said Monday.
But the association also said that about half that sum is covered by existing financing arrangements.
"The renewal portion -- to keep transit systems operating in a state of good repair -- is $11.8 billion of the total,'' said association president Michael Roschlau. "The expansion needs -- allowing transit to keep up with ridership demand and population growth -- amounts to $28.3 billion over the next 5 years.''
But, he added, present financial programs cover only about $20 billion of the total.
He said the federal government should kick in more money to help stave off increasing congestion and pollution.
"The cost of not investing in transit goes beyond money; smog days are commonplace and increasing every year.''
Ridership has been increasing for a decade, as cities grow, he added.
"Transit has to play a bigger role in urban travel if we're going to keep congestion at tolerable levels, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and air pollution and provide better overall urban mobility.''
People "are demanding cities with a high quality of life.''
