News release

Government Supports Public Transportation Across Province

16 June 2023 | 9:45 AM

Public Works

NOTE: A list of funding recipients follows this release.

People across Nova Scotia will have better service to get where they need to go, when they need to go there, with provincial funding for public transportation services.

The government is investing more than $5.1 million to help municipalities and community organizations purchase vehicles, support operations and planning and make transportation more accessible.

"Public transit and community transportation organizations provide an invaluable service by bringing people together and making our communities better places to live," said Public Works Minister Kim Masland. "It's our job to make sure they have what they need to provide Nova Scotians with the options they need to get to work, attend medical appointments, get groceries, go to school or participate in community activities."

Twenty-nine municipalities and community organizations across the province will receive funding this fiscal year.

Quotes:

"Pictou County Transit returned to service after a 25-year hiatus thanks to capital and operational grants from the Province of Nova Scotia, and support from the towns of Stellarton and New Glasgow. The service is proving extremely popular, and we are also looking at possible expansion to other communities. This support will help ensure Pictou County Transit is able to operate sustainably well into the future."

– Danny MacGillivray, Executive Director, CHAD Transit

"We are grateful for this funding, which will allow us to continue to serve the residents of Guysborough County and Mulgrave. Affordable and accessible transportation has historically been a barrier for many individuals seeking access to healthcare, food, social connection, and other vital services in rural and urban areas. This funding will help us continue to break down these barriers and provide more of our population with accessible and equitable transportation."

– Catherine Hartling, Chair, Transit Association of Guysborough

"These funding programs are critical to our ability to operate and to have the opportunity to keep our vehicle fleet updated with safe, reliable vehicles. Without the support of the Province of Nova Scotia, we would not be able to maintain our mission of operating a safe, affordable and accessible alternate transportation service to our local rural communities."

– Nicole Hackenschmidt, General Manager, Trans County Transportation

Quick Facts:

the Community Transportation Assistance Program is providing almost $2 million in operating funding to 21 door-to-door community transportation services
the Public Transit Assistance Program is providing $2.9 million to nine municipalities and community organizations providing fixed-route transit services; the funding is for capital purchases such as new buses
the Accessible Transportation Assistance Program is providing nearly $200,000 to buy or modify accessible vehicles
the Nova Scotia Transit Research Incentive Program is providing more than $68,000 to help assess the need for, and develop, transit services in rural areas and underserviced urban areas