SHERBROOKE, NS, Sept. 24,
2024 /CNW/ - Residents in the Municipality of the
District of St. Mary's will have access to a new transportation
service following an investment of $234,548 from the federal and provincial
governments.
This funding is supporting the establishment of SMART-GO: St.
Mary's Association for Rural Transit, a bookable transit system
that will provide a dependable and low-cost transportation option
for those in the Municipality of the District of St. Mary's.
Quotes
"Public transit is an invaluable tool in helping people get
around their communities easily and conveniently. SMART-GO will do
just that for the residents of the Municipality of the District of
St. Mary's, and I'm incredibly proud that our government could
support it.
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing,
Infrastructure and Communities
"Everyone deserves access to transportation so they can get to
medical appointments, work, see family and friends and do everyday
activities that improve our quality of life. In our rural
communities there are often less options for transportation and
that's why I'm proud to support SMART-GO as they will make a huge
difference in Guysborough County."
The Honourable Kim Masland, Nova Scotia Minister of Public Works
"SMART-GO is thrilled and incredibly grateful to receive
government funding, which allows us to bring our much-needed
transportation service to the St. Mary's community. By providing
accessible and convenient door-to-door transit, we aim to enrich
the lives of our residents, ensuring they remain connected to
essential services and fostering a deeper sense of unity within our
community. This invaluable support from the government will empower
us to make a positive difference in the daily lives of those who
call St. Mary's home, and for that, we extend our heartfelt
thanks."
Heather Kreffer,
Executive Director, SMART-GO
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing $187,638 in this project through the Rural
Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF), and the provincial government is
contributing $46,910.
- 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.
- The RTSF's Capital Projects stream helps cover capital costs
like the purchase of vehicles or digital platforms, as well as
support for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. This stream
closed on February 28, 2024.
- The RTSF's Planning and Design Projects continuous intake
remains open. Through this stream, eligible applicants can receive
a grant up to $50,000 in support of a
communities' projects to plan and design a new or expanded transit
solution for their communities. Some examples of eligible Planning
and Design Projects activities are assessment of routes and modes
of travel, feasibility studies, public and stakeholder engagement
and surveys.
- A minimum of 10% of RTSF's funding is 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 federal funding for public transit in support of making
clean and affordable transportation available in every
community.
- The new Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) will provide an
average of $3 billion a year of
permanent funding to respond to local transit needs by enhancing
integrated planning, improving access to public transit and active
transportation, and supporting the development of more affordable,
sustainable, and inclusive communities.
- The CPTF meets the needs of communities of all sizes, from
large metropolitan areas, to mid-size and smaller communities,
including rural, remote, northern and Indigenous communities.
- 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.
- Federal funding is conditional on the signing of the
contribution agreement.
Associated Links
Rural Transit Solutions Fund
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.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
Housing and Infrastructure Project Map
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html
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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities