Cantech Letter logo

Federal government invests in rural transit in Belleville

Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
Friday at 11:49am ADT · October 16, 2026 3 min read

BELLEVILLE, ON, Oct. 16, 2026 /CNW/ — The City of Belleville will upgrade and modernize its rural transit fleet following an investment of $2.8 million from the federal government.

As announced by MP Chris Malette and Mayor Neil Ellis, Belleville will purchase two accessible hybrid buses and three accessible minibuses to replace aging vehicles. This funding will improve access to reliable rural transit services in Belleville and surrounding communities.  

This is in addition to a federal investment through the Canada Public Transit Fund’s Baseline Funding stream. In 2025, the federal government announced an annual funding allocation for Belleville, amounting to over $4.5 million over 10 years. Funding will upgrade, replace, or modernize the City’s public transit infrastructure, and maintain it in a state of good repair.

Transit investments help communities increase housing supply and affordability, while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Quotes

“This investment in transit will replace aging vehicles, strengthen rural transit connections, and make transportation more accessible for residents of our community. It builds on the long-term federal funding the City is receiving to modernize and maintain its transit infrastructure. Together, these investments are helping to build a more sustainable, connected, and accessible Belleville.”

Chris Malette, Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte

“On behalf of Belleville City Council, I want to thank the Government of Canada for the investments they are making in rural transit solutions. Our residents rely on our transit daily to stay connected to the community. This investment is helping us build a more accessible and reliable transit system for our residents.”

His Worship Neil Ellis, Mayor of the City of Belleville

Quick Facts

  • The federal government is investing a total of $2,800,000 in rural transit solutions through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF). The City of Belleville is contributing $1,135,000.
  • The RTSF supports a range of public transit models including fixed-route transit, flex-route transit, demand-response transit, community shuttles and Mobility-as-a-Service. In addition to supporting the purchase of rolling stocks, the RTSF also provides funding for fixed infrastructure that enhances access to public transit.
  • A minimum of 10% of RTSF’s funding is allocated to projects that benefit Indigenous populations and communities.
  • One in five Canadians live in rural communities. Rural communities in Canada account for nearly 30% of the nation’s gross domestic product.
  • The RTSF complements Canada’s strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. Through the plan the federal government has committed to providing funding for public transit to support making clean and affordable transportation available in every community.
  • The Government of Canada is taking concrete actions to strengthen the economy by investing in Canadians and supporting Canadian businesses.
  • Federal actions are creating good jobs, accelerating home building and helping communities grow across the country.
  • Federal funding is conditional on the signing of a contribution agreement.

Associated Links

Rural Transit Solutions Fund

https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-eng.html 

Strengthened Climate Plan

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html 

Housing and Infrastructure Project Map

https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html 

Canada Public Transit Fund

https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/cptf-ftcc/index-eng.html 

Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

displaying rededs