Accessible-Bus Grant for Transit CB

Transit Cape Breton has been awarded a $10,000 grant toward the purchase of an accessible bus, Premier Russell MacLellan announced today.

On behalf of Clifford Huskilson, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, Premier MacLellan presented the cheque to David Muise, Mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Ms. Debbie Matheson from the Community Involvement for the Disabled participated in the presentation.

"We're pleased to make these funds available," said Premier MacLellan. "Accessible transportation means the freedom of choice for a Nova Scotian who needs to take a bus to the shopping mall. It means equality for one of our citizens who has to get to the hospital for a doctor's appointment."

The Accessible Transportation Assistance Program was created by the provincial government to aid in the development of transportation for Nova Scotians with disabilities. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to communities, organizations or groups that provide transportation service for people with disabilities or seniors.

The program was created in response to an inter-departmental report on inclusive transportation services initiated by the Disabled Persons Commission. The Department of Transportation and Public Works administers the program in co-operation with the departments of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Community Services, Education and Culture, Health, the Utilities Review Board and the Disabled Persons Commission.

"We are delighted to receive this assistance from the provincial government," said Mayor Muise. "With the funding, we are able to add to our fleet of vehicles, increasing our accessible vehicles to four from three. In this way we are continuing to meet the needs of all commuters in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality."

The Accessible Transportation Assistance Program is in the final year of a two-year program; $150,000 is available over the life of the program.

Applications for the program are available through the Department of Transportation and Public Works by contacting Don Stonehouse at 902-424-6726 or via e-mail [email protected] .