Quebec will receive $924 million over three years for the public transport infrastructure fund, the federal budget revealed Tuesday.
The amount allotted to Quebec is based on public transit ridership, so Quebec will receive about 27 per cent -- $650 million of which will go to Montreal. That money will be used to ensure existing infrastructure is in good repair.
Ottawa will also pay up to 50 per cent for urgent projects -- a change from the past, when commitments from other levels of government was required.
STM vice-chair Marvin Rotrand said the metro system requires new electronic and ventilation systems, projects that are typically delayed.
"Look, we're going to start with things that aren't sexy, but they're vital, absolutely vital. You have to make sure of the safety and security of commuters and when they pay their money, they can get from A to B," he said.
Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said he was satisfied with the budget.
"We had a grocery list, we had some specifics that we wanted. We had a vision of how we want to invest and we have that," he said.
Quebec Finance Minister Carlos Leitao admitted he is somewhat disappointed that there was a lack of clarity on transit plans for the Train de l'Ouest or the extension of the Blue Line into the east mentioned in the budget.
"There's nothing today that we didn't know yesterday," he said. "Where we were expecting something more is on the infrastructure side. We were expecting more details, but Mr. Morneau says it was Phase 1."
Phase 2 is expected to focus on new projects with $48 million, starting in 2018.
Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau will be speaking in a news conference Wednesday, where perhaps he will provide more clarity on the infrastructure spending.
