The East Hants Community Learning Association in Nova Scotia will be able to purchase new vehicles to transport members of the community through C$192,620 (US$144,099.39) in joint funding provided by the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia.
With this funding, the East Hants Community Learning Association will acquire three new hybrid and one-electric vehicle for its East Hants Community Rider Program. These new vehicles will allow the association to expand their on-demand service in the Municipality of East Hants and in nearby communities. It will provide residents with affordable and comfortable transit options to get around their communities and access programs and services. The funding also helps support inclusive communities.
The government of Canada is investing C$154,096 (US$115,287.32) in the project, and the government of Nova Scotia is providing C$38,524 (US$28,828.80).
"Today's announcement for the purchase of new hybrid and electric vehicles for the East Hants Community Rider Program will provide local residents with affordable, greener public transit options to connect with nearby communities and to access critical programs and services. This investment helps to contribute to a sustainable future for the Nova Scotians living in this community,” said Kody Blois, member of parliament for Kings-Hants.
"Every community deserves access to affordable and reliable transit, and we have a responsibility to deliver this service in the greenest way possible,” said John A. MacDonald, member of the legislative assembly for Hants East, on behalf of the minister of public works Kim Masland. “We know one size does not fit all, and that's why I am proud we have been able to find solutions to transportation problems that make sense for this community."
"The East Hants Community Rider, and services like ours across the province of Nova Scotia, are eager to integrate and adapt newer, greener technologies into our fleet,” said Tanya Burke, executive director of the East Hants Community Learning Association. These new vehicles will enhance our fleet, reduce operating costs, move us toward a greener operation, and most importantly, get more people where they need to go."
The government of Canada's funding comes from the Rural Transit Solutions Fund. The new Rural Transit Solutions Fund, which is part of the Permanent Public Transit Fund, will provide C$250 million (US$187 million) over five years to help Canadians living in rural and remote areas get around their communities more easily. It supports the development of rural transit solutions, including new transit service models that could be replicated or scaled up.
In February 2021, the prime minister announced nearly C$15 billion (US$11.2 billion) in available funding for new public transit infrastructure projects over the next eight years, with a permanent C$3 billion (US$2.2 billion) annually to begin in 2026-27.
