A joint funding agreement between the governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and the Pictou County Transit Authority will allow the authority to purchase new vehicles and add bus stops to its rural network.
The authority will purchase two new buses and establish five new bus stops that will provide residents with more inclusive and accessible transportation options that will enable them to access education opportunities, go to work, attend medical appointments and do their day-to-day activities.
"Investing in our public transit system ensures our citizens have a reliable option for safe, affordable and accessible trips to the grocery store, medical appointments or social activities and events in our community. I am pleased to know this funding will support an important public service that enables our citizens to live the lives they wish. Public transportation supports both the physical and mental wellbeing of our citizens," said Mayor of the Town of New Glasgow and Chairperson of the Pictou County Transit Authority Nancy Dicks.
Pictou County Transit Authority provides service in New Glasgow and Stellarton, Nova Scotia, as part of a three-year pilot project. The service began in the spring of 2021 and returned transit service to an area that had be without a transit operator since 1996.
"Not everyone has access to a car, but everyone needs to travel. Public transit allows people to get to work, school, medical appointments or to just have fun. This accessible loop connects New Glasgow and Stellarton and gets people where they need to go. Pictou County Transit will be even more successful connecting people to their community with this investment,” Premier of Nova Scotia Tim Houston said.
The C$593,931 (US$444,635) project to add vehicles and expand stops consists of C$475,144 (US$355,707) in funding from the government of Canada, C$103,863 (US$77,755) from the government of Nova Scotia and C$14,924 (US$11,172) from Pictou County Transit Authority.
The government of Canada is providing funding through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund, which launched in August 2021 to help rural, remote and small communities implement transit solutions. The Rural Transit Solutions Fund will provide C$250 million (US$187.16 million) over five years to help Canadians living in rural and remote areas, which the government says is one in five residents in the country, get around more easily.
"The Town of Stellarton is pleased Pictou County Transit, launched May 2021, is serving the community well. The addition of two new buses and five bus shelters through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund will allow PCT to continue and expand upon the good work it does in our communities," Mayor of the Town of Stellarton Danny MacGillivray said.
