News release

Government Improves Access to Public Transportation

Public Works

NOTE: The list of funding recipients follows this release.


Communities across Nova Scotia will have improved access to public transportation with funding from the Province.

The government is investing almost $5 million in transportation services through the Community Transportation Assistance Program and Public Transit Assistance Program.

“Access to transportation is a necessity for people who are going to work, attending medical appointments, getting groceries, going to school or participating in community activities,” said Public Works Minister Kim Masland. “This investment will help make it easier for more Nova Scotians to have access to safe, affordable and accessible transportation in their communities.”

Twenty-seven municipalities and community organizations will receive funding this fiscal year.

Quotes:

“As one of 20 community transportation providers across the province, the funds received from the Community Transportation Assistance Program are vital to the operation of our organization. Without this funding, we would not be able to provide the service to residents in our rural communities at an affordable rate for those who have a transportation barrier to get where they need to go.”

– Susan Taylor, Executive Director, Colchester Transportation Co-operative Ltd.

“The funds from the Public Transportation Assistance Program are essential to the operation of Strait Area Transit. Without this capital funding, we would not be able to provide inclusive, safe, reliable, and accessible transportation to the residents of Inverness County. With the PTAP funding, we can purchase a new vehicle. Our fixed route service helps to reduce social isolation, promote independence, expand employment opportunities, increase access to health care, access to upgrade education and provides transportation to local food banks and other essential services.”

– Amber Carrigan, Executive Director, Strait Area Transit

Quick Facts:

  • the Community Transportation Assistance Program is providing almost $2 million in operating funding to 20 door-to-door community transportation services
  • the Public Transit Assistance Program is providing $2.9 million to seven municipalities and community organizations providing fixed route transit services; the funding is used toward capital purchases such as new buses

Additional Resources:

Community Transportation Assistance Program funding application: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-funding-operating-costs-community-based-transportation-service-community-transportation-assistance-program

Public Transit Assistance Program funding application: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-funding-buy-capital-assets-fixed-route-transit-services-run-municipalities-and-community-organizations-public-transit-assistance-program

Community Transportation Assistance Program recipients:

  • Antigonish Community Transit Society, $85,580
  • BayRides (St. Margaret’s Bay Community Transit), $57,065
  • CHAD Transit, Pictou County, $171,569
  • Municipality of Chester Transportation Society (Community Wheels), $61,396
  • Colchester Transportation Co-operative Ltd., $172,492
  • Cumberland County Transportation Society, $146,360
  • East Hants Community Rider, $105,366
  • HOPE Dial-a-Ride, Yarmouth, $96,225
  • Kings Point-To-Point Transit, $150,294
  • La Coopérative de Transport de Chéticamp Ltée, $45,582
  • Le Transport de Clare, $91,104
  • Musgo Rider, $82,799
  • Musgo Valley-Sheet Harbour, $58,598
  • Queens County Transit, $65,879
  • Sou’West Nova Transit, $78,800
  • Strait Area Transit, $96,984
  • Trans County Transportation Society, Annapolis Valley, $129,928
  • Transit Association of Guysborough, $56,000
  • Victoria County Transit, $63,689
  • West Hants Dial-a-Ride, $76,598

Public Transit Assistance Program recipients:

  • Halifax Regional Municipality, $2 million
  • Cape Breton Regional Municipality, $425,000
  • Kings Transit, $375,000
  • Town of Yarmouth, $25,000
  • Town of Bridgewater, $25,000
  • Antigonish Community Transportation Society, $25,000
  • Strait Area Transit $50,000