Three community transportation providers on the South Shore have received about $244,000 in operating funding through the provincial community transportation grants program.
Chester Community Wheels received $61,396 from the Community Transportation Assistance Program and $7,376 from the Nova Scotia Transit Research Incentive Program for a total of $68,772, while HOPE Dial-a-Ride in Yarmouth received $96,225 and Sou’West Nova Transit in Shelburne County was granted $78,800.
“[The] government is taking steps to improve access to community transportation across the province, especially in rural areas, so Nova Scotians can stay involved in, and connected to, their communities and good jobs,” said MLA Hugh MacKay when announcing the funding for Chester Community Wheels.
“Community Wheels prides itself on being a barrier-free transportation option for residents of the Municipality of Chester,” said Leslie Taylor, Chester Community Wheels board chair. “The continued support of the province allows us to continue to be that option. We welcome the increase in funding for the 2018-19 year. It will allow us to get more folks to the places they need to go, such as to medical appointments, run daily errands, community programs and to continue to reside in our beautiful community.”
The Community Transportation Assistance Program provides operating funding to 17 door-to-door community transit services. A new investment of $600,000 was added to the program budget in 2018-19.
South Shore community transportation providers are also the beneficiaries of the province’s Accessible Transportation Assistance Program, which is an application-based program that provides funding towards the purchase of accessible vehicles. This program’s budget increased by more than $450,000 in the 2018-19 budget.
Sou’West Nova Transit in Shelburne County received $46,322 while HOPE Dial-a-Ride in Yarmouth received $42,383 towards the purchase of a four-passenger van. In Digby County, Le Transport de Clare received a total of $132,979 in funding including $58,127 toward the purchase of a 16-passenger bus and $74,852 towards the purchase of an 18-passenger bus.
