Across the province, community transit operators and the Nova Scotians they serve will benefit from two new provincial investments.
“Community-based transportation is an incredibly important resource,” said Public Works Minister Kim Masland. “Local operators help people get to work, appointments, learning opportunities and recreational activities. They keep people connected, and we understand how valuable that is. Our continued support will help ensure these operators are able to deliver the best possible service to their clients.”
The new investments include just over $931,000 in one-time funding to offset rising fuel, maintenance and insurance costs. These funds will be distributed to 22 community transit operators throughout the province.
Additionally, $305,000 will be made available through the Province’s Fare Assistance Program to help reduce costs for low-income Nova Scotians looking to access their local transportation service.
The Province has partnered with the Rural Transportation Association to issue the funds from the Fare Assistance Program. Working with operators, the association will ensure that identified low-income clients receive transportation services at a reduced cost.
Quotes:
“With rising costs of fuel, vehicle repair and insurance, this additional one-time grant will allow these community transit providers to continue to provide full service, which has seen considerable growth in demand. The Fare Assistance Program allows clients who live on fixed incomes, especially those on dialysis, the relief that they can get to essential services such as medical appointments, food and other needs.
– Sue Taylor, Executive Director, Colchester Transportation Cooperative Limited
Quick Facts:
— in November 2022, the Province distributed $10.9 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding to transit service providers throughout the province
— in February 2023, the Province announced nearly $525,000 in funding over three years to help the Nova Scotia Community Transportation Network purchase and implement a new centralized dispatch system to improve the booking process for operators and clients
— municipalities and non-profit organizations can apply for funding from the Community Transportation Assistance Program to cover a portion of the operating costs of a community-based, inclusive transportation service
Additional Resources:
Rural Transportation Association: https://ruralrides.ca
Community Transportation Assistance Program funding application: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-funding-operating-costs-community-based-transportation-service-community-transportation-assistance-program
Department of Public Works Twitter: https://twitter.com/NS_PublicWorks
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Media Contact: Jasmine Flemming
Cell: 902-220-9665
Email: Jasmine.Flemming@novascotia.ca
Community Transit Operators
— Antigonish Community Transit Society, $41,500
— BayRides (St. Margaret’s Bay Community Transit), $27,000
— CHAD Transit, Pictou County, $160,000
— Chester Community Wheels, $36,000
— Colchester Transportation Cooperative Limited, $83,577
— Cumberland County Transportation Society, $57,073
— East Hants Community Rider, $13,635
— Eskasoni Transit Service, $20,000
— HOPE Dial-a-Ride, Yarmouth, $12,876
— Kings Point-To-Point Transit, $43,234
— La Coopérative de Transport de Chéticamp Ltée, $36,000
— Le Transport de Clare, $42,615
— Lunenburg County Wheels, $5,840
— Musgo Rider, $47,340
— Musgo Valley-Sheet Harbour, $10,500
— Queens Transit Society, $41,500
— Sou’West Nova Transit, $41,500
— Strait Area Transit, $34,089
— Trans County Transportation Society, Annapolis Valley, $55,469
— Transit Association of Guysborough, $43,965
— Victoria County Transit, $36,000
— West Hants Dial-a-Ride, $41,500
Source: Release
