24 new Transit Windsor buses are on the road, partly paid for by Ottawa

Transit Windsor showed off its 24 new buses — partially funded by the federal government — to Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities on Monday morning.

Sohi, who used to drive buses in Edmonton, said his former work experience made it easier to see from point of view of a customer.

"So whenever I get on a bus, those memories come back, and it allows me to reflect on my journey as well about how we're moving forward in building effective, efficient public transportation systems that people have options to move around," he said.

The funding for the buses was announced last March as part of Canada's Public Transit Infrastructure Fund. The federal government pledged $50 million for transit across Ontario and Windsor got $10.2 million for new buses, bus shelters and new LED signs.

All buses are now on the road and starting Monday, installation of the 120 new bus shelters will begin across the city.

"I think it's fantastic," said mayor Drew Dilkens. "Being able to have the infrastructure is key to being able to provide the service."

The relatively new connection to LaSalle was mentioned and Dilkens said expanding service to places like Tecumseh and Lakeshore is still possible as well, to form a regional transit system like Windsor-Essex used to have back in the 70s.

"We know that there are a lot of opportunities in Essex County that people in our own region would be able to fulfil," he said. "If they had a means of getting to them."