Support for Public Transit in Kings, Annapolis, Digby Counties

Bus service in the Annapolis Valley is getting a boost with support from the Province and federal government.

Tidal Transit, serving Kings, Annapolis and Digby counties, is buying new buses, electric chargers and improving its maintenance facility with a combined investment of $10 million from the two levels of government. The support was announced August 13 in New Minas.

“Not everyone in Kings County owns a car, and not everyone can drive. Community transit gets so many people where they need to go: school, work, medical appointments or just out to see friends and family,” said John Lohr, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board and MLA for Kings North, on behalf of Public Works Minister Fred Tilley. “The Province is so pleased to be able to support Tidal Transit as an important link between communities.”

The Province is providing $2 million from the Public Transit Assistance Program, and the federal government is contributing more than $8 million from the Rural Transit Solutions Fund. With the funding, Tidal Transit is purchasing five conventional buses, one electric bus, three electric vehicle chargers and will be modernizing the maintenance facility, including installing an emergency power backup system.

These investments help to create a more sustainable and reliable transit service.

Continued support for community and public transportation is recommended in the Regional Transportation Plan under action 1.3.3.