How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 65% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Public transit development assistance program – Stream 1?

Public transit development assistance program – Stream 1 is funded by Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Quebec

What are Public transit development assistance program – Stream 1's eligibility criterias?

Be a transport organizing authority of Quebec (ARTM, STC, municipal or intermunicipal transport organization). Offer or organize public transport services in the territory of the eligible organization. Contribute to the financing of public transport services.

Public transit development assistance program – Stream 1

Last Update: August 4, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports urban public transit development and greenhouse gas reduction

Public transit development assistance program – Stream 1 at a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 65% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Transportation and warehousing
Public administration

Grant Providers

Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Quebec

Program status

Open

Overview of the Public transit development assistance program – Stream 1 program

The Public Transit Development Assistance Program (Volet I) provides multi-year funding to support the maintenance, development, and optimization of urban public transit services in Quebec, aiming to enhance ridership and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Eligible activities include preserving current transit services, expanding or improving service offerings, and optimizing system performance, with funding rates reaching up to 65% of eligible operating costs for fully electric buses and taxibuses and 50% for other transit modes.

Financing terms and conditions

Financial support covers 65% of eligible operating costs for fully electric buses and taxibuses.
Financial support covers 50% of eligible operating costs for other transportation modes and types of motorization.
Annual funding amounts for service maintenance are based on previous years’ funding levels and adjusted if the service offer is reduced.

Eligible projects & activities

Maintaining urban public transit service levels to support ongoing operations.
Expanding public transit service offerings beyond previous years to increase coverage or frequency.
Optimizing transit system performance by improving efficiency or service delivery based on set performance indicators.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 245,000

Adding morning and evening express commuter bus services

$ 150,000

Implementing real-time bus arrival LED displays at key stops

$ 136,500

Introducing paratransit taxi service for persons with reduced mobility

$ 77,500

Optimizing main trunk-line scheduling to reduce bus wait times

$ 406,250

Expanding evening bus services to serve local industrial zones

$ 572,000

Deployment of two fully electric minibuses on high-demand routes

Eligibility criteria of the Public transit development assistance program – Stream 1 program

The applicant must be a recognized public transit authority in Quebec (such as the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain, a public transit corporation operating outside Montreal's metropolitan area, or a municipal/intermunicipal transit organization).
The proposed public transit services must be implemented within the applicant's geographic territory (services with connections to points outside the territory are also eligible).
The application must include a triennial service improvement plan with annual service forecasts and a comparison to the previous year, using the prescribed form.
The application must provide a detailed breakdown of operating costs by budget item, based on the most recent available financial statements.

Who is eligible?

Regional public transit authorities in Quebec (e.g., ARTM)
Urban transit corporations operating outside the Montréal metropolitan area
Municipal and intermunicipal transit organizations, including individual municipalities, RCMs (regional county municipalities) with public transit authority, municipal and intermunicipal transit boards, and joint municipal associations that organize and fund public transit services

Who is not eligible

Private companies not recognized as transport organizing authorities.
Companies whose main activity is not the organization and financing of public transport services.
Industries that do not operate in the urban public transport sector.
Companies located outside the legal or territorial framework of public transport in Quebec.

Eligible expenses

Operating costs related to the maintenance, development, or optimization of public transit services.
Costs of service delivery provided by transit personnel or contracted transport operators.
Expenditures detailed by budget line items as reported in recent financial statements.

Eligible geographic areas

Organizations located within the province of Quebec.

Eligibility criteria of the Public transit development assistance program – Stream 1 program

Demonstration of maintenance, development, or optimization of public transit services compared to the previous year.
Quality and completeness of the three-year service improvement or optimization plan, including annual service forecasts and comparative analysis with the previous year.
Clarity in the breakdown of operating costs by budget items, based on recent financial statements.
For optimization funding, evidence of improved performance according to pre-established indicators by the Ministry.

How to apply to the Public transit development assistance program – Stream 1 program

Verify eligibility and program requirements

Review eligibility requirements for your organization
Consult the program guidelines for detailed conditions
Identify the applicable service envelope (maintenance, development, or optimization)

Prepare supporting documentation

Gather required documents, including the triennial service improvement plan
Compile annual service forecasts and cost details based on the prescribed forms
Ensure financial data references the previous year as required

Complete the grant application forms

Complete the grant application using the prescribed forms
Include required documents for the selected envelope (maintenance, development, or optimization)
Verify accuracy and completeness of all information provided

Submit the application package

Submit the completed application and documentation before the deadline specified in the management calendar
Ensure all forms and supporting documents are properly attached

Await evaluation and results

Wait for the Ministry to review and evaluate your application
Be prepared to provide clarifications or additional information if requested

Additional information

The financial support is structured into three envelopes: maintaining, developing, and optimizing transit services.
Environmental impact, specifically reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is a focus for the program's assessment processes.
Supplementary documentation, such as the program's application terms and GHG reduction methodology, is available in PDF format.
Annual performance improvements must be demonstrated to access optimization funding for subsequent years.

Apply to this program

Supports projects enhancing community life in Rivière-du-Loup