Investing in transit in rural Nova Scotia

Press Release

From: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, December 12, 2024 — The federal government is investing more than $2.7 million through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF) to support 12 rural transit projects across Nova Scotia.

For Pictou County Transit, Minister Sean Fraser and Mayor Nancy Dicks announced $136,761 to purchase a vehicle that will help them expand service to Trenton, Westville, Pictou, and Pictou Landing First Nation. The other 12 projects include improvements to rural transit services, new vehicles, and supporting infrastructure including bus shelters and stops and charging infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles.

Minister Fraser also announced more than $1.2 million in baseline funding through the Canadian Public Transit Fund (CPTF) for the Pictou County Transit Authority and the Town of Bridgewater. This funding, which will be delivered over 10 years from 2026 until 2036, will help advance key improvements to Pictou and Bridgewater’s public transit systems. The funding is conditional on these communities submitting capital plans and signing funding agreements.

Finally, he highlighted that new funding opportunities are available for communities around the country under the capital project streams of the Rural Transit Solutions Fund and the Active Transportation Fund. More details about these streams can be found in the links below.

Quotes

“Public transit is an invaluable part of people’s lives. Our announcement today is one example of the investments we’re making to improve existing services while planning for the future needs of our communities here at home in Nova Scotia.”

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“PCT Authority is very pleased and grateful to receive funding for a van which allows for the expansion services into other communities in Pictou County. The operational funding ensures the sustainability of this expansion for years to come. From the beginning, it has been the goal of PCT to expand this very important service to our neighbouring communities.”

Her Worship Nancy Dicks, Mayor of New Glasgow and Chairperson for the Pictou County Transit Authority

Quick facts

The federal government is investing $2,774,333 through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund to support 12 rural transit initiatives across Nova Scotia.
Over ten years, the Pictou County Transit Authority will receive $717,030 and the Town of Bridgewater will receive $486,040 through the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF).
CPTF is the largest public transit investment in Canadian history and builds on the success of existing transit funds: the Rural Transit Solutions Fund, Zero Emission Transit Fund, and the Active Transportation Fund. Upcoming funding application intakes include:
- Active Transportation Fund’s Capital Projects stream opens on December 12, 2024.
- Rural Transit Solutions Fund’s Capital Projects stream opens on December 16, 2024.
In support of Canada’s National Active Transportation Strategy, the Active Transportation Fund is providing $400 million over five years, starting in 2021, to make travel by active transportation easier, safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable.
The RTSF helps 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.
Since 2015, the federal government has committed over $30 billion for public transit and active transportation projects. These historic investments have resulted in close to 2000 projects 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.