RTC Quebec announces 2023 operating budget

Credit: RTC Québec

The Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC Quebec) has announced that it has confirmed its operating budget for 2023. This is the first post-pandemic budget, where public transit companies will receive government funds from the Assistance Program for the last year. 

Diversification of the agency’s activities, in line with the 2018-2027 Strategic Plan, entails major investments, among other things for the implementation and development of technological systems, which do not benefit from the same level of public funding as infrastructure and rolling stock.

In addition, RTC Quebec will also have to find a new balance between the level of service offered, which is currently 99 per cent of that of 2019, and network traffic, which is expected to reach 84 per cent of the pre-pandemic level in 2023. 

Getting passengers back on-board: RTC Quebec’s road to recovery

Throughout the year, the agency will continue the realisation of various projects, including: 

• The acceleration of integrated mobility, such as the deployment of the Flexibus service in the Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures and L’Ancienne-Lorette sectors and the addition of 300 electrically-assisted bicycles as part of of àVélo’s third season 
• Planning for the deployment of the transition network, as part of the work for the Québec tramway 
• Continuation of the implementation of the agency’s electrification programme.  

The agency is tabling a balanced budget of $256.3 million, limited to a 2.5 per cent increase, despite a changing context. According to RTC Quebec, uncertainty related to the impact of inflation, particularly on the cost of parts, will become clearer during the year. These elements are being closely monitored to ensure that the financial framework is balanced. 

Furthermore, as part of the 2023-2032 Capital Assets Program, RTC Quebec will spread investments of $1.6 billion over 10 years as follows: 

• Electrification of the Newton and Métrobus centres: $609 million 
• Maintenance of rolling stock, infrastructure and systems: $739 million 
• Infrastructure and systems development: $230 million.