MISSION – New Democrat MLAs Bob D’Eith and Pam Alexis say joint federal and provincial funding for the refurbishment of seven locomotives on the West Coast Express will make them run longer and cleaner.

“As the Fraser Valley and neighbouring regions begin to expand, having up-to-date and reliable transit is more important than ever,” said Pam Alexis, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission. “As we look towards a return to more normal times, I’m grateful to know that folks will continue to have accessible alternatives to driving to and from work at their disposal.”

“The West Coast Express has been servicing British Columbians’ for over 25 years. These upgrades will expand the lifespans of these locomotives, make them more environmentally friendly, and ensure that locals can continue to commute safely within our communities,” said Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission.

The project will include refurbishing the engines of six of the seven locomotives to extend their lifespan by a projected 15 years. Additionally, all head end power units, which provide heat and lighting to the passenger cars, will be replaced to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and allow operation of longer trains.

The Government of Canada is investing $10.2 million in this project through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of British Columbia is contributing $ 9.2 million and TransLink is contributing $1.5 million for this project.