Government assistance program for public transportation

• Financial aid rates vary by project type and applicant. For electric bus acquisition, up to 95% of eligible expenses may be covered, while other eligible projects are financed at rates ranging from 50% to 100%, depending on the category.
• Eligible municipal organizations can receive a flat rate of 90% for approved infrastructure projects (excluding service vehicles at 50%).
• Maximum eligible amounts are established for certain expenditures, such as $2,200 per bus for group purchase management, specific vehicle acquisition price caps (e.g., $34,322 for a sedan), and per-unit caps for shelters, bike racks, and parking spaces.
• Advance payments may be made: for single-year projects, up to 50% of the aid is disbursed after final authorization; the remainder upon submission of final documentation or audit. For multi-year projects, periodic payments are made, up to 90% before the final audit.
• The sum of public financial assistance from government sources cannot exceed 100% of eligible costs for a project.

• The applicant must be a public transit authority, transportation company established by law, the regional metropolitan transit authority (ARTM), "exo" (Réseau de transport métropolitain), or a municipal/intermunicipal organization responsible for public transportation (OMIT), including municipalities and municipal regional counties with declared competency in public transit.
• The project must relate to public or adapted transportation services and be necessary for the operation, improvement, or development of public transit networks.
• The project must be included in the applicant’s capital investment plan or, for organizations without such a plan, be supported by a board resolution confirming financial participation.
• The project must be registered in the Quebec Infrastructure Plan (PQI) and, if located in the Montreal metropolitan region, have an official endorsement from the ARTM.
• The application and all required documentation must be submitted to the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility by the official deadline.

Who is eligible?

• Public transit corporations established under the Act respecting public transit companies
• Regional Metropolitan Transport Authority (ARTM)
• Metropolitan Transit Network (exo)
• Municipal and intermunicipal transport organizations (OMIT), including municipalities and regional county municipalities (MRCs) that have declared competency in public transit, municipal and intermunicipal transport boards, and groups of municipalities organizing and financing urban or regional public transit services

Who is not eligible

• Organizations that have failed to meet their obligations in connection with previous government funding, after being duly notified, within the two years preceding the new funding request.
• Companies or organizations seeking funding for intercity transportation projects.
• Entities proposing projects for the acquisition of thermal-engine buses or vehicles (unless a lack of electric alternatives is explicitly demonstrated for vehicles of service).
• Companies not operating as municipal, intermunicipal, or public transit authorities as defined by provincial law (i.e., private or for-profit commercial organizations providing public transit services are not eligible).

Eligible expenses

• Professional fees and legal costs directly related to planning and realization of the project (excluding costs arising from legal actions or claims).
• Preparation of plans and specifications, engineering, and work supervision expenses.
• Construction and procurement costs required for project realization, including site preparation and associated services.
• Expenses required for electrification of networks, including acquisition of rolling stock, replacement of batteries for electric or hybrid buses, and necessary modifications to installations and infrastructure (excluding charging stations for clients or staff).
• Purchase and installation costs of equipment, systems, and devices needed for project implementation.
• Acquisition of spare parts to establish a minimum inventory ensuring ongoing operations.
• Acquisition of manual or portable tools specifically required for the project and not used for routine maintenance.
• Acquisition and installation costs of urban furniture and landscaping integral to an eligible project.
• Rental costs for land, buildings, vehicles, equipment, or other installations specifically needed during project works.
• Expenses for the construction or repair of infrastructure necessary for the operation of the eligible project (e.g., priority lanes for buses).
• Compensation measures required by regulation regarding impacts on wetlands and water environments.
• Mitigation measures to limit negative impacts caused by project work on service operations.
• Acquisition and installation costs of lighting and mandatory signage.
• Acquisition of land, including expropriation costs, rights of access, easements, surface rights, and servitudes.
• Costs associated with the purchase, repair, or expansion of buildings used directly for collective or adapted transport services.
• Costs for works, equipment, or devices to facilitate access and exit from vehicles and rolling stock.
• Communication activities directly associated with the project as stipulated in financial agreements.
• Acquisition of artworks for installations, as recognized under government policy.
• Short-term interest expenses related to project financing via the Quebec Ministry of Finance or a financial institution.
• Travel expenses for personnel involved in project monitoring, outside their service territory, adhering to government rates.
• Audit and evaluation costs required by the Ministry.
• Contingency fees and risk provisions necessary for project execution.
• Net applicable taxes (after eligible reimbursements).

Eligible geographic areas

• Province of Quebec

• Beneficiaries must comply with the visibility protocol set by the Ministry for all financial aid programs.
• The Minister reserves the right to request additional or adjusted documents from applicants or beneficiaries.
• Full or partial reimbursement of financial aid may be required if program conditions are not met or documents are incomplete.
• Confidential data on users or project results cannot be disclosed to third parties without written authorization from the beneficiary.