Rural Transit is a hard sell. Invariably much of the cost must be borne by the municipality, thus by the taxpayers, who then are subsidizing the transit rider.

The social benefits of transit are generally appreciated, when pointed-out, but the economic benefits are less readily recognized.

This is the challenge!

After many briefings, backed by support from many organizations, Citizens for Public Transit convinced the Transportation Committee of the four municipalities in the District of Lunenburg that a feasibility study of the proposed system was warranted.

The Province of Nova Scotia, through its agency Conserve Nova Scotia contributed major funding for a Feasibility Study and a public tender call for proposals was issued in early February 2009. In addition to this funding the four Municipalities pledged $5,000 plus administrative and planning support valued at $6,500, for a total of $41,500.

The contract for the Transit Feasibility Study was awarded to iTRANS Consulting Inc., a company with extensive experience in the design and operation of transit services in both rural and urban communities.

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg administered this contract. The study examined projected costs to operate a local transit system, ridership, routes and how the service could be delivered.

An important part of the Feasibility Study was consultation with stakeholders from the District - local service providers, community organizations, businesses, public transit advocates and the public.

The final report of the consultant has been received. Essentially it established that a cost-effective system along the lines proposed can be operated.

The Executive Summary of this report can be viewed here.

Councils are now considering proceeding with a more detailed design study and funding for this has been requested from the Government of Nova Scotia under its Transit Research Incentive Program.

Citizens for Public Transit held its Annual General Meeting on Feb. 23, 2010 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Bridgewater Superstore.

Here is a link to the Minutes of this meeting:

The Municiplities' Transportation Committee met numerous times during 2010 in its search for consensus and a plan for transportation in the District. At this time this has not been completed, however once again the Province of Nova Scotia in 2010 gave grants for Public Transportation to the Municipalities. These have been "banked", with the existing funds, for future application.

Citizens for Public Transit is using this interval to consolidate and re-develop its Operational Plan, expected to be complete for presentation at the Annual General Meeting in April, 2011.

 February 2011