WITH THE HELP of the provincial government, transit officials can move forward with the York Viva Bus Rapid Transit system upgrade.

Premier Dalton McGuinty pledged the $1.4 billion needed for the facelift, which will create dedicated bus lanes along Highway 7 and Yonge Street.

“We need to move quickly to build a better transit system for commuters,” McGuinty said in his April 1 announcement. “Our investments in transit will create jobs, help stimulate the economy and improve the air we breathe.”

Construction is already underway on some sections of the dedicated bus lanes, as in Markham Centre, said Mary- Frances Turner, vice-president of operations for Viva and York Region Transit.

Environmental assessments have already been completed for the sections of the line that will commence construction next fall.

The bus system will connect commuters from the Vaughan Corporate Centre to Downsview station in Toronto, which will be constructed as part of the Spadina subway line extension. A 6.8-kilometre extension from Richmond Hill Centre will connect to Finch station, on Toronto’s Yonge Street subway line. The system will also connect to GO Transit service to Barrie and Stouffville.

“This is great news for all those who live, work and travel through York Region,” said Bill Fisch, the chairman and CEO of York Region.

“The funding will not only enable us to make the Viva system faster and more convenient, it will help build a seamless transit system and create jobs when we need it most, right now.”

Transit officials say that the upgrade to the bus system will get more cars off the street, which will benefit the environment and will assist people in getting where they’re going faster.

“What we’re looking to do is put the ‘rapid’ into rapid transit, which will allow the community to get around a lot faster, with a lot less reliance on the need to have a vehicle to get around the community,” Turner said. “What it means is that our roads will not continue to be congested.”