Yellowknife (Jun 07/06) - Yellowknife Coun. Blake Lyons is looking for the million dollars promised to the NWT to upgrade public transit.

The federal money, however, is nowhere to be seen, Lyons said.

Yellowknife Transit system's Route 2 bus pauses outside the A&W on Franklin Ave. The public transit system is due to receive new funding from the federal government. - Emily Watkins/NNSL photo

"In no uncertain terms we were promised there would be a million dollars," Lyons said, adding it is important council follow up on the funding promise.

According to Mayor Gord Van Tighem, there are two issues surrounding the potential federal funding.

"The government of the Northwest Territories hasn't applied for the funding (of a million dollars) and the GNWT potentially wants to use the money in other communities in the NWT," Van Tighem said

The money provided is only capital and would provide the upfront costs of implementing new infrastructure for public transit, but not the ongoing maintenance required, he said.

Debbie DeLancey, deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), said once negotiations with the new federal government are complete, the amount will likely be about $1.2 million for the Territories from the newly established public transit fund.

"We have a number of communities that may want to establish bus systems or funding to purchase Handi-Vans to purchase seniors or the disabled.

"There is some flexibility in how public transit is defined," DeLancey said.

Eligibility criteria has not yet been set to determine how much Yellowknife or interested communities would get for transit, she said.

The next step is to set up a new deal working group to liaise with MACA.

The group would then determine how the money will be spent.

DeLancey said the negotiating process should be completed by late fall.