Province Continues to Support Accessible Transportation Services in HRM

Getting to doctors' appointments or a job interview will become easier for seniors and people with disabilities in Halifax Regional Municipality.

The province is providing $20,000 each to Walter Callow Wheelchair Bus and to Need-a-lift Transportation Services to help purchase new wheelchair accessible buses. The new buses will serve disabled Nova Scotians within Halifax Regional Municipality and the surrounding areas. Six buses will serve veterans resident in hospitals, paraplegics, amputees, persons with disabilities, and nursing home residents.

"Lack of transportation is a prime barrier to quality of life and one of the single biggest roadblocks to accessing health care, education and employment opportunities," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "Organizations like Walter Callow Wheelchair Bus and Need-a-lift Transportation Services are making a big difference in people's lives and the province is committed to continuing to support that success."

Last year, community-based organizations funded by the province provided more than 90,000 rides to seniors and people with disabilities in Nova Scotia. Most of these rides were for people with disabilities looking for a job and taking seniors to medical appointments.

"As this is the year of the veteran, we are looking forward to purchasing a new mini bus to better serve Nova Scotia's veterans as well as disabled youth and adults," said Tom Waters, executive director of Walter Callow. "The new bus will help those in need receive the necessary transportation to outings and individual appointments."

"I'm impressed with the provincial government for stepping up and seriously looking towards improving accessible transportation," said Need-a-lift Transportation Services owner and operator, Ken Bully. "When I started my business there were no accessible vehicles and there are now accessible taxis and accessible buses in metro. I feel that we will all work in line very well together to help those in need."

The Accessible Transportation Assistance Program helps to improve existing transportation services through the purchase of an accessible vehicle or modification of an existing vehicle. The program is one way the province is demonstrating its commitment to equal opportunity and improving access to community facilities and venues for persons with disabilities. Under this program, cost-shared grants are available to community groups for accessibility-related improvements.

For more information on the community and municipal accessible transportation programs, visit the Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations website at www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/muns/infr or call toll-free 1-877-305-RIDE (7433).