A $1.5-million provincial commitment will help redevelop the outdated train station in downtown Niagara Falls into a "multi-modal" hub that will become a "one-stop shop" for transportation, says Mayor Jim Diodati.

During his visit to Niagara Thursday, Premier Doug Ford announced funding for 24 transit projects around the region, worth about $23.9 million.

Many of the projects - totalling about $4.5 million - were in Niagara Falls, including $1.5 million for the construction of a transit hub on Bridge Street with connections to a future GO train terminal.

The provincial money will cover part of the cost for the redevelopment of the existing train station, in partnership with the City of Niagara Falls and the federal government.

"We were hoping that this would come through and I think it shows a strong commitment by the province to move forward on transportation," said Diodati.

He said right now, the station is made up of "a lot of afterthoughts all kind of thrown together."

"When this is done it's going to be customer-friendly and it's going to be really easy to maneuver and make sense to the travelling public. It's going to have everything from bus platforms, parking - it's going to accommodate city buses, GO buses, Wego, charter buses, VIA and GO trains, taxis."

Diodati said the hub will also include pertinent information for tourists.

"It's going to be a real central hub for people."

He said the provincial announcement "plays nicely" into what regional officials are trying to accomplishment with inter-municipal transit and bringing enhanced GO train service to Niagara.

The city has been preparing for improvements to come to that area of the downtown core by tearing down the old bus garage, make way for more parking and installing a parkette, said Diodati.

The city will also tear down the old courthouse on Queen Street and move forward on streetscape improvements around Bridge Street and Erie Avenue.

"Some of that area of the downtown is hurting and it's part of council's commitment to get it cleaned up and make it look nice," said Diodati.

"We want to make sure that any dilapidated buildings are going to be removed and put into service in a positive and constructive way that's going to serve the area."

On Thursday, the province also announced $1.6 million for the purchase of six conventional transit buses in Niagara Falls.

Other projects in the city to receive provincial funding include: A new farebox system, including 62 external smart-card readers that will allow customers to pay with a mobile device or debit and credit cards; installation of 36 high-definition video camera systems to improve security and deter vandalism/crime on buses; installation of a new radio system on 67 vehicles to align with technology deployed across Niagara; planning, designing and construction of on-street areas where buses can wait to address crowding and traffic concerns; refurbishments of four conventional transit buses; purchase of one expansion supervisor vehicle; replacement of transmissions in six conventional transit buses; and installation of 10 video-surveillance cameras at the bus terminal and the transit hub on Morrison Street/Dorchester Road.

"We're thrilled with the province's announcements and their understanding that you can't just keep making highways bigger for cars," said Diodati.

"You need multi-modal transportation and for any successful city you need to be connected by ways other than traditional car. Niagara Falls, of course, we're the tourist capital of the country and with all these millions of people coming here, many more wanting to come here, we need to make it easier and more efficient for them to get around, other than just renting a car and driving down the highway in gridlock."

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Raymond.Spiteri@niagaradailies.com

905-225-1645 | @RaySpiteri