Vast majority of Canadian transit suppliers have boosted R&D budgets, CUTA says

More than 80 percent of transit suppliers have increased their research, development and innovation budgets within the past three years, bringing new products to market and building Canada's economy through domestic sales and exports, the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) says in a new report.
 
Transit systems are using innovation and modernization to meet rising demand and deal with economic realities, according to the report, which is titled, "R&D and Innovation in the Canadian Transit Industry."

With 70 percent of the North America urban transit bus market supplied by Canadian-rooted companies, Canada is a world leader in transit technology, CUTA officials said in a press release announcing the report's release earlier this week.

Major bus and rail suppliers conduct research, development, design and production activities in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba. Among transit suppliers that conduct R&D and innovation activities, 60 percent collaborate with universities, research centers, public institutions or municipalities, the report stated.

CUTA is a national association representing public transit systems, suppliers to the industry, government agencies, individuals and related organizations in Canada.