Public transit development assistance program – Stream 3
Last Update: August 4, 2025
QC, Canada
Supports development and maintenance of intercity bus transportation services
Public transit development assistance program – Stream 3 at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $100,000
- Up to 75% 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 3 program
The Public Transit Development Assistance Program – Stream 3 provides financial support of up to $100,000 or $15,416 per month, depending on the component, to maintain, improve, develop, or replace intercity bus services and implement technological tools to reduce GHG emissions in Quebec. Eligible activities include sustaining or enhancing existing bus routes, developing new services, preventing service abandonment, supporting replacement services, and implementing technology solutions for sustainable intercity transportation.
Financing terms and conditions
- Financial assistance of up to 75% of eligible expenses, with a maximum of $15,416 per month per bus route for a period of up to 12 months (for service maintenance, improvement, or development).
- Up to 100% coverage of the operating deficit, up to a maximum of $100,000 for preventing the imminent abandonment of a bus service, once per route.
- For substitute intercity bus routes after service abandonment, up to 100% of eligible expenses, capped at $15,416 per month for up to 12 months.
- Financial support for technological tools to reduce GHG emissions: up to 50% of eligible project expenses, to a maximum of $100,000.
Eligible projects & activities
- Maintaining and improving existing intercity bus transportation services.
- Developing new intercity bus transportation routes and services where no current permits exist.
- Providing support to prevent the imminent discontinuation of an intercity bus route.
- Offering temporary replacement services when an intercity bus service has been abandoned.
- Implementing technological solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as online ticketing and reservation systems.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 85,000
Launching a new bus route connecting remote rural communities
$ 98,000
Implementing an online ticketing system for intercity bus service
$ 98,000
Maintaining existing intercity service threatened by discontinuation
$ 96,500
Developing a multimodal trip planner with GHG-reduction features
$ 100,000
Upgrading vehicles to low-emission models for intercity operations
$ 73,800
Piloting a parcel transport service using existing intercity buses
Eligibility criteria of the Public transit development assistance program – Stream 3 program
- The applicant must be an authorized municipal authority listed in the official register of eligible municipal organizations for regional public transit and intercity bus transportation, or a holder of an intercity bus permit issued by the Commission des transports du Québec (CTQ), depending on the specific stream of funding sought.
- For development and maintenance of services: The applicant must propose projects to maintain or improve, or to develop, intercity bus transport services on eligible routes.
- For support in cases of imminent service abandonment: The applicant must be a current permit holder operating a route at imminent risk of abandonment, with evidence provided either by a CTQ service abandonment request or a municipal council resolution.
- For implementing technology to reduce GHG emissions: The applicant must hold a valid intercity bus transport permit from the CTQ and propose implementation of technological tools that support service improvement and GHG reduction.
Who is eligible?
- Municipal authorities authorized to organize public transit services
- Intercity bus transporters holding a permit issued by the Commission des transports du Québec (CTQ)
Who is not eligible
- Companies that do not hold a permit issued by the Commission des transports du Québec (CTQ) for relevant activities.
- Private sector businesses and organizations not identified as municipal authorities or intercity bus carriers in accordance with the program's criteria.
- Projects that would compete with existing intercity bus routes or duplicate services already covered by the program.
Eligible expenses
- Operating expenses for maintaining or improving intercity bus routes, including related costs for parcel transport.
- Expenses for developing or establishing new intercity bus services, including route-specific costs and parcel transport expenses.
- Deficit coverage (operating loss) for bus operators facing imminent service abandonment, including all revenues and expenses associated with parcel transport.
- Expenses for implementing replacement intercity bus routes to ensure continuity of service, including costs for parcel transport, transportation costs, administrative fees, and user contributions.
- Acquisition, development, and implementation of technological tools aimed at reservation and ticketing systems, differentiated pricing, or interconnection with other carriers, provided these contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Project management and administration costs directly related to eligible activities listed above.
Eligible geographic areas
- Entities located in Quebec.
How to apply to the Public transit development assistance program – Stream 3 program
1
Verify eligibility and grant stream
- Determine eligibility according to project and organization type (municipal authority, bus operator, or replacement permit holder)
- Identify the relevant stream of the grant (service maintenance, service development, imminent abandonment, replacement service, or technology tools)
2
Collect required documentation
- Review the program’s official application guidelines for 2022-2025
- Gather required documentation such as resolutions, service descriptions, financial plans, and supporting evidence depending on the project type
3
Prepare the application file
- Complete the appropriate application form for the chosen stream
- Ensure all supporting materials (resolutions, detailed project and financial descriptions) are included
4
Validate the application package
- Review the completeness and accuracy of the application package
- Obtain internal or municipal approvals (such as resolutions) if required
5
Submit the application to the Ministry
- Submit the complete application package to the Ministry by the applicable deadline as stated in the program management calendar
- Retain a copy of all submitted documents for your records
6
Await response from the Ministry
- Wait for results from the Ministry regarding the decision on your application
- Respond promptly to any follow-up requests for additional information
Additional information
- Applicants should consult the "Modalités d’application 2022-2025" document for detailed program requirements before preparing an application.
- Applications can be submitted at any time up to the deadline listed in the program's management calendar.
- Only one financial assistance grant per year is permitted for technology acquisition or development, though annual funding can continue if implementation exceeds one year.
- Technological projects financed for the first time must comply with Canadian intelligent transportation system architecture standards as set by the Transportation Association of Canada.
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