Transportation Assistance Program Announced

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Transportation Assistance Program Announced

Seniors, low income earners and disabled persons in the province will soon have an easier time getting to work, classes and medical appointments through a new program that was rolled out in Yarmouth today.

The Community Transportation Assistance Program (CTAP) will invest $500,000 a year in inclusive transportation services in rural and semi-rural Nova Scotia.

"This program will have a very positive effect on the quality of life and the level of independence of hundreds of Nova Scotians," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "The absence of adequate, inclusive transportation is the greatest barrier to health care, education and employment opportunities for many of our neighbours."

Under CTAP, individuals, community volunteer organizations and local businesses will work together to develop lasting, viable transportation services for people who cannot use public transit. Ten per cent of CTAP funding ($50,000) is earmarked for a component called the Accessible Transportation Assistance Program, which will help service providers buy accessible vehicles or make existing vehicles accessible.

Mr. MacIsaac said his department will also provide technical support and advice to organizations supporting inclusive transportation.

"I think this announcement will have a tremendous impact on our operation," said Bill Crawford, president of the Yarmouth-based Handicapped Organization Promoting Equality (HOPE). "Inclusive transportation is crucial to the community and has proven itself more and more each day. It’s important that we accentuate the inclusivity at the heart of this initiative. This service goes way beyond helping disabled people. It helps seniors and low income earners as well."

As part of today’s announcement, the minister helped HOPE to unveil its new accessible vehicle. HOPE operated one of three pilot projects called Dial-A-Ride, which tested a model for community-based inclusive transportation during the past two years. The recently concluded Dial-A-Ride projects, which were funded by Service Nova Scotia, provided almost 60,000 rides in the Yarmouth, Antigonish-Guysborough and Colchester areas.

"This government made a commitment to work with the Disabled Persons Commission, other advocacy groups and disabled Nova Scotians to expand inclusive transportation throughout the province," said Mr. MacIsaac. "We’re making good on that commitment through programs such as CTAP and Community ACCESS-ability." The Community ACCESS-ability Program helps municipalities and non-profit organizations to make public buildings and facilities more open to people with disabilities.

Investments under the new program will help organizations to move beyond transporting clients solely to medical appointments. Now, riders will be able to commute to work and educational opportunities.

"A lot of people, including those with disabilities will benefit from this program," said Charlie Macdonald, executive director of the Disabled Persons Commission. "It will extend peoples’ ability to get around in their community and will help individuals feel more like full citizens of this province."

"Mobility -- and the independence associated with it -- is not an issue any one individual, organization, or government can tackle alone," said Mr. MacIsaac. “We will encourage municipalities and the federal government to support these community services.”

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations now is accepting applications for Community Transportation Assistance Program funding. Application forms are available at Access Nova Scotia Centres; on the department’s Web site, www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr ; and from advocacy groups and agencies.