Halifax to use federal infrastructure fund for 21 transit buses

The Halifaxmunicipality will use $6 million of a federal infrastructure fund on new transit buses this year.

By the end of 2017, Halifax plans to replace 21 buses in its fleet with 12-metre-long accessible low floor buses.

Infrastructure and Communities MinisterAmarjeetSohiwas at Halifax'sLacewoodTerminal on Sunday morning to make the announcement.

"As a former bus driver and city councillor, I know how important investing in affordable and efficient public transit infrastructure is to allow Canadians to get to work on time and back home at the end of a long day," Sohi said in a press release.

The federal Gas Tax fund is a pool of money available each year to all provinces and territories for local infrastructure projects.

Sohi is also in Halifax as a keynote speaker at the annual general meeting of the Canadian Urban Transit Association.