LIVERPOOL, NS, May 24, 2024
/CNW/ - Queens County Transit has expanded their
fleet after a combined investment of $116,293 from the federal and provincial
governments.
They have purchased two new hybrid vehicles to provide
on-demand transit services to help people get around the
community.
This investment will help Queens County Transit Society
better serve and better support those who depend on and use their
services.
Quotes
"Public transit brings incredible value to a community.
More vehicles mean that more people in Queens County will be able
to get where they need to go. We will always be there to support
projects that make lives easier for Canadians."
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing,
Infrastructure and Communities
"Creating and expanding safe and reliable
transportation options is something that is very important to me
because I know how essential it is to the people of Queens County,
and communities across the province. Everyone deserves to be able
to get where they need to go. It's critical for medical
appointments, work, play and all the daily activities that improve
our quality of life. I'm proud we have been able to support Queens
County Transit as they expand and help more people achieve
independence."
The Honourable Kim Masland, Nova Scotia Minister of Public Works and
Member of the Legislative Assembly for Queens
"The Board of Directors for Queens County
Transit Society was very pleased to receive the combined grants
with the Government of Canada
providing eighty percent of the cost and the Province of
Nova Scotia the remaining twenty
percent for our group to purchase two 2024 hybrid Honda CRVs. The
funds came at an opportune time as we needed to add to our fleet of
vehicles to keep up with the demand for rides. We supply
transportation for all citizens of Queens County."
Alex
Doggett, chair of the Queens County Transit Society
Board
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing $93,034 in this project through the Rural Transit
Solutions Fund (RTSF), and the Government of Nova Scotia is contributing $23,259.
- The RTSF helps Support public transit in rural and remote
communities.
- The RTSF's Capital Projects stream helps cover capital costs
like purchasing vehicles or digital platforms.
- Eligible applicants were able to seek contributions of up to
$3 million to help cover the capital
costs of a new or expanded transit solution (e.g., purchase of
vehicles or digital platforms), and up to $5
million to support zero-emission transit solutions (e.g.,
for the purchase of a zero-emission vehicle(s)). This stream closed
on February 28, 2024.
- A minimum of 10% of RTSF's funding will be allocated to
projects that benefit Indigenous populations and communities.
- One in five Canadians live in rural communities. Rural
communities in Canada account for
nearly 30% of the nation's gross domestic product.
- The RTSF complements Canada's strengthened climate plan: A Healthy
Environment and a Healthy Economy. Through the plan the federal
government has committed to providing permanent federal funding for
public transit in support of making clean and affordable
transportation available in every community.
- Since 2015, the federal government has announced an
unprecedented investment of over $30
billion in thousands of transit projects in communities
across the country.
- The funding announced today builds on the federal government's
work through the Atlantic Growth Strategy to create
well-paying jobs and strengthen local economies.
Associated
Links
Rural Transit Solutions
Fund
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-eng.html
Strengthened Climate
Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
Federal infrastructure investments in Nova
Scotia
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-ns-eng.html
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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada