Release:
Nova Scotians using community transportation in Colchester and Cumberland counties will see improved service with support from the provincial and federal governments.
Colchester Transportation Co-operative Ltd. and Cumberland County Transportation Services will receive a combined investment of more than $1.3 million to buy new vehicles.
“Our government is helping to build up transit in Cumberland and Colchester so people have more options to get to appointments, to run errands or just to visit friends,” said Dave Ritcey, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage and MLA for Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River, on behalf of Fred Tilley, Minister of Public Works. “By supporting our local community transportation providers, we ensure that people have a safe and accessible way to travel.”
The Province is providing about $270,000 from the Accessible Transportation Assistance Program, while the federal government is contributing $1,084,399 from the Rural Transit Solutions Fund.
In Cumberland County, the funds will be used to buy one hybrid vehicle and one minibus. In Colchester County, funding will pay for two vans and two accessible minibuses.
These investments help not-for-profit operators provide door-to-door transportation services in rural areas where traditional fixed-route transit service is not suitable.
Quotes:
“The Government of Canada is proud to support these projects that will improve transit services for people in Colchester and Cumberland counties. Investment in rural transit contributes to more inclusive and supportive communities, connecting residents to employment, healthcare, education, social services and more.”
— Alana Hirtle, MP for Cumberland-Colchester, on behalf of Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
“Funding from the Government of Canada through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund will make a meaningful difference in our ability to provide safe, reliable and accessible transportation. This investment will help us strengthen our service, reduce transportation barriers and keep rural residents connected to essential services and their communities. We sincerely thank the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia for their continued investment in rural community transportation.”
— Susan Taylor, Executive Director, Colchester Transportation Co-operative Ltd.
“The financial assistance from the Rural Transit Solutions Fund will enable CCTS to expand their existing service throughout Cumberland County with the addition of a 14-passenger bus and hybrid van. By developing a fixed flex route around the county, this will help to improve the quality of life and safety of equity-seeking groups wishing to use transit to access employment, education and health services. CCTS would like to acknowledge the continued financial support from the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia to rural transportation in Nova Scotia.”
— Peter Lewis, board Chair, Cumberland County Transportation Services
Quick Facts:
– the Department of Public Works provides grant funding for community transportation and transit operators to support operating and capital costs; Link Nova Scotia administers the programs
– the provincial government is contributing a total of $1,103,438 for rural transportation projects across Nova Scotia
– the federal rural transit fund supports local transit solutions for rural, remote, Indigenous and northern communities
– continued support for community and public transportation is recommended in the Province’s Regional Transportation Plan under action 1.3.3
Additional Resources:
Community transportation: https://linknovascotia.ca/community-transportation/
Rural Transit Solutions Fund: https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-eng.html
Regional Transportation Plan: https://linknovascotia.ca/regional-transportation-plan/
Link Nova Scotia:
– website: https://linknovascotia.ca
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/link.novascotia
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/link.novascotia
Department of Public Works on X: https://x.com/NS_PublicWorks
