BELLEVILLE, ONT. — Belleville plans to replace aging rural-transit vehicles with two accessible hybrid buses and three accessible minibuses, supported by a newly announced $2.8-million federal contribution.

Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette and Mayor Neil Ellis announced the investment October 16, according to a release issued by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. The city is contributing another $1.135 million.

The two announced contributions total $3.935 million. Ottawa's share comes through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund and remains conditional on signing a contribution agreement.

Replacement vehicles, not an operating launch

The department says the purchases are intended to improve accessibility and reliability for Belleville and nearby communities. It does not give delivery dates or announce new routes, schedules or fares.

The fleet investment is separate from Belleville's previously announced Canada Public Transit Fund allocation. Friday's release refers to that earlier funding but does not present it as another new award.

For riders, the immediate news is funding for vehicle renewal; the announcement does not establish that the buses have arrived or entered service.

Source: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada release, distributed October 16 at 10:40 a.m. Toronto time.

Lead image: Flag of Ontario by Kooma and Wikimedia Commons contributors, public domain. Geographic illustration, not a photograph of Belleville's transit vehicles.