The Nova Scotia government is considering to build a new transit network to link Halifax with three rural communities, and looking for a partner for the proposed new service.
The province issued a request for information Wednesday from potential service providers for a new system connecting the capital city with Truro, Wolfville and Bridgewater. It said the inter-municipal transit system would ideally offer regular, dependable travel along routes for daily commuting.
The Department of Public Works says the network would connect to existing fixed-route services run by municipalities.
Public Works Minister Fred Tilley said in a statement he’s heard loud and clear that a regional public transit system is needed in Nova Scotia. “Frequent, reliable and affordable transit service means more options to access jobs, schools, health care and daily needs.”
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An inter-municipal transit system was among the recommendations included in a regional transit plan released last summer by Link Nova Scotia — the Crown corporation responsible for long-term public transit projects — and a consulting company. In its response, the government said the idea was a “key priority.”
The first of the three proposed transit lines would go from Halifax toward Windsor, Glooscap First Nation, Wolfville and end in Kentville. The second line would travel to Elmsdale, Stewiacke and Truro. The third would run from Halifax to Hubbards, Chester, Bridgewater, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay.
Joyce Carter, president and CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority, said in a statement she’s pleased to see this idea move forward. “Better regional transit connections will help improve access to jobs, services and communities across the province, while enhancing the overall travel experience for those travelling to, from and within our region,” Carter said.
The request for information is aimed at identifying prospective service providers and to help the government understand potential challenges with the plan. Interested parties have until May 20 to submit information to the province.
The proposed transit service would run from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. The province expects the service lines would need between 11 and 15 wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
This is good news, but the system needs to include ALL communities. Currently there is no public transportation from the south shore to the valley without first going to Halifax. Money that currently subsidizes car culture infrastructure, to factories, to build roads etc, can and must be redirected to build all public transportation. The goal of public transportation is to alleviate the necessity of possessing a private vehicle. Bus stations that users need a car to get to are useless. Design it with the goal of freeing people from their enslavement to having to own a car.
Ed : walking bridge of menstruation river bay of fundy
hahaha. hahahs.
Im a local. Please tell me what this is
It will never happen moved here from the west the east coast is at least 25 years behind in everything but taking yr money look at Truro 9 million dollars for a walking bridge of menstruation river bay of fundy anything that makes sense goes the opposite way to many seniors in power here scared of change
As I read the comments below, yes, the best and most efficient would be frequent train connectivity between halifax and truro considering winter road conditions where rail lines are much more efficient.
I raised this issue of connectivity and thought it would never come up but I am so happy to see this initiative. Truro do needs a direct transit to Halifax for students and daily working class travelers.
Fools extraordinaire. The rest of the free world have had modern train transportation for decades, here we are with people planning archaic infrastructure to transport people. Poor Atlantic Canada, stuck in the dark ages.
If only we had a railway🤔
With stops along the way, i Hope.
How about working on the transit system we have now. Like putting security on the busses because they are becoming Mad Max at times