Sarnia City Council will consider another significant investment in the transit system at its upcoming meeting.
Staff is recommending council award a $1.2 million contract for the downtown bus terminal at Bayside Centre.
Mayor Mike Bradley said planned improvements include a new central island, updated seating, shelters and gardens.
"There'll be room for six buses," said Bradley. "It will also bring about improvement of George and Vidal streets, very similar to what we've done at Clearwater which has been well received by the public that facilitates a safe way using the transit system."
Bradley said the downtown terminal project is part of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) grant that covers the construction, expansion and improvement of public transit.
He said the federal grant will cover just over 73 per cent of the project costs with the remaining funds coming from capital reserves.
"This project, George and Vidal there, will improve that entire area including the newly purchased by the county the shared services building that brings hundreds of people everyday into downtown," said Bradley. "So, there will be more amenities around that building, the whole area will be cleaned up and provide better access to transit for people in Sarnia."
Bradley said over the last number of years, council has seen the value of public transportation.
"And, after this particular terminal, when it's finished, we're also looking at doing something similar at Northgate, which is the centre of transit coming through the centre part of the city. It has a lot of amenities around there. A lot of people go there to shop, go to the doctor, all those things. So it's a continuous improvement of the transit system to get more people to use it, and it facilitates that active community that we want."
Council's regular meeting on Monday, August 12 is set for 1 p.m.
While it will be held electronically, a livestream of the August 12 meeting will be displayed in council chambers.
City staff said the practice will continue within city hall for future meetings held without in-person attendance.