News release

East Hants To Receive Accessible Transportation Service

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

Seniors and people with disabilities in East Hants can look forward to an accessible transportation program being established in their community.

The province is providing $30,000 to the East Hants Adult Learning Association through the province's Community Transportation Assistance Program. The association is currently operating a volunteer driver service and is looking to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle because there are none in the area.

"These programs are very important in helping Nova Scotians with disabilities seek employment opportunities and providing seniors with access to medical services that they otherwise wouldn't have," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "We are proud to partner with community organizations to help Nova Scotians have access to the services they need to participate in their communities."

The Community Transportation Assistance Program provides funding to community organizations that offer a wide range of services to disabled Nova Scotians, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles for people with mobility needs. In 2004-05, the program provided more than 90,000 rides throughout the province. Since the program's inception in 2001, the number of counties with accessible community-based transportation has increased from three to nine. Areas that now have programs are in: Municipal District of Clare, Municipal District of West Hants and in Kings, Pictou, Colchester, Annapolis, Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby counties.

"We are really excited to add this service to the infrastructure of East Hants for the benefit of its residents," said Robert MacLellan, executive director of the East Hants Adult Learning Association.

The East Hants Accessible Transportation Service is a project led by the East Hants Adult Learning Association. For more information, call 902-883-5376. For information on the Community Transportation Assistance Program see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/dialaride .