News release

Eliminating Fees for Non-profit Accessible Transportation

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Eliminating Fees for Non-profit Accessible Transportation


The Nova Scotia government is eliminating vehicle registration fees for non-profit community groups that provide accessible transportation service.

Barry Barnet, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, said today, Sept. 28, the government wants these organizations to focus their resources on providing service to seniors, persons with disabilities and disadvantaged Nova Scotians.

"Community organizations that provide accessible transportation should be spending every available dollar on providing their service," Mr. Barnet said. "We're eliminating vehicle registration fees for them because we want to reduce the financial obstacles between these organizations and the service they provide."

Eliminating the registration fee was recommended to government by the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities (NSLEO), an organization that works on behalf of Nova Scotians with disabilities.

"Community-based groups that provide transportation services to persons with disabilities, seniors and others need every financial break they can get, and eliminating vehicle registration fees will help them," said Claredon Robichaud, chair of NSLEO. "Perhaps as important as the financial aspect, this initiative acknowledges the importance of this service, which helps so many Nova Scotians participate in day-to-day life."

Many non-profit groups providing accessible transportation service qualify for the Registry of Motor Vehicles nominal per- vehicle registration fee of $25 per year. In the future this fee will be rebated to the organizations. Those who have already paid registration fees for 2003-04 will be reimbursed.

"Every dollar helps, so we will be contacting these groups directly, but if there are any we are not aware of, we encourage them to get in touch with the Registry of Motor Vehicles office to see if they may qualify for this program," Mr. Barnet said.

To be eligible, vehicles must be part of an accessible transportation service provided by a non-profit, charitable or religious organization. The service must be available to the public and the vehicles accessible-equipped and owned and operated by the organization.