$2.6M earmarked for Metrobus upgrades, including new buses and shelters

The Metrobus fleet in the St. John's area will be outfitted with 18 new accessible buses, while more than two dozen shelters will be added to make commuting easier for people who use wheelchairs.

The additions are highlights of infrastructure spending totalling more than $2.6 million, through a spending commitment involving the federal and provincial governments and the City of St. John's.

In addition to the 18 new buses, Metrobus will be adding 29 wheelchair-accessible shelters along six routes.

As well, Metrobus will be able to pay for a new operations system " that will lead to more reliable scheduling," according to a statement from the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs.

The buses and shelters are expected to be in place by next January.

The funding will also pay for a pilot project to make Metrobus's service and maintenance facility more efficient.