Northern Nova Scotia Transit Services Receive Over $1.3 Million for Six New Vehicles
Colchester Transportation Co-operative Ltd. and Cumberland County Transportation Services will use more than $1.3 million in combined federal and provincial funding to purchase six new vehicles, including accessible minibuses and a hybrid vehicle.
Two transit services in northern Nova Scotia are set to expand their fleets after receiving more than $1.3 million in combined government funding to purchase six new vehicles. The announcement was made on Oct. 1 by Cumberland-Colchester MP Alana Hirtle and MLA Dave Ritcey.
Colchester Transportation Co-operative Ltd. will use its share of the funding to acquire two vans and two accessible minibuses. Cumberland County Transportation Services will purchase one hybrid vehicle and one minibus.
The federal portion of the funding totals $1,084,399, drawn from the Rural Transit Solutions Fund, which was established in 2021. According to reports, $707,594 of the federal money is allocated to Colchester Transportation Co-operative Ltd., while $376,805 goes to Cumberland County Transportation Services.
Provincial funding amounts to $271,100 through the Accessible Transportation Assistance Program. Of that total, $176,899 is designated for Colchester Transportation Co-operative Ltd. and $94,201 for Cumberland County Transportation Services.
The investment aims to provide safe and accessible travel options for residents, helping connect them to employment, health care, education, and social services. It also addresses increased demand for transit services in Colchester County, supports independent living, and improves affordability.
Currently, residents in Truro, Colchester County, and Cumberland County do not have access to fixed-route transit, though feasibility studies are being explored for potential implementation.