Communities receive boost for public transportation

NOTE: A list of organizations receiving funding follows this release

The province is investing $4.7 million to improve access to public transportation across Nova Scotia.

Reliable community transportation allows people to access services, including going to work, shopping, attending medical appointments and getting their COVID-19 vaccines.

“Community transportation programs are essential for many Nova Scotians, both in rural and urban communities,” said Lloyd Hines, Minister of Transportation and Active Transit. “These programs offer full-service transportation to meet the daily needs of residents, especially important at a time when restrictions start lifting and people need to get around.”

Twenty-six projects will receive funding through the Community Transportation Assistance Program and the Public Transit Assistance Program this fiscal year.

The Community Transportation Assistance Program is providing more than $1.8 million in operating funding to 19 door-to-door community transportation services.

The Public Transit Assistance Program is providing $2,925,000 to municipalities and community organizations providing fixed route transit services. The funding is used towards capital purchases such as new buses.

Quotes:

Supporting and increasing access to our transit system is a top priority for Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Provincial government support for new buses makes transportation affordable, reduces the environmental impact of commuting and helps our economy move forward. – Amanda McDougall, mayor, Cape Breton Regional Municipality

We are grateful for these funding streams because it goes a long way in a small community like ours. This funding allows us to provide both fixed route services and door-to-door services, which has been incredibly helpful to our clients who often use us to attend medical appointments, access food, pick-up prescriptions and even get their COVID vaccinations. – Madonna van Vonderen, executive director, Antigonish Community Transportation Society

Quick Facts:

  • this funding is part of the work of Nova’s Scotia’s Strengthening Communities through Transportation action plan; more information available at: https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-in-our-future/community-transportation-action-plan-strengthening-communities-through-transportation
  • improving access to community transportation is a cornerstone of government’s Poverty Reduction Blueprint, Community Transportation Action Plan and is identified as a priority in SHIFT Nova Scotia’s Action Plan for an Aging Population; more information available at: https://novascotia.ca/shift/
  • the communities of Stellarton, New Glasgow and Eskasoni First Nation will be launching transit services this year and will be eligible for funding through these two programs during next fiscal year