The Smart Road to Cape Breton University

The route to Cape Breton University just got smarter.

The government of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton University are investing nearly $900,000 in a transit project that will help fund two new buses and a heated transit station hub on the university campus. Cape Breton Regional Municipality is supporting the project with in-kind services, including increased bus service to the university.

"This transit project will help students and staff save on transportation costs, reduce traffic and help the environment," said Energy Minister Bill Dooks. "People from Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia Community College's Marconi campus and the surrounding community will benefit."

" This is a great opportunity for both CBRM and CBU to work collaboratively on the resolution of public transportation issues that are critical to both, said John Morgan, mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality. "Meeting the transportation needs of the student body of CBU in conjunction with other public transportation goals can become a reality through initiatives such as this."

"We are extremely pleased with this development," said John Harker, president of Cape Breton University. "It expands service levels for our student body in general, and residence students in particular. I see the establishment of the new transfer station as having significant impact both on campus and for the region's commuters, giving them greater access to a wide range of offerings and experiences at our campus and NSCC Marconi next door."

The province is investing $500,000 in the transit project and $389,000 in funding is coming from the university.

Bus service to the university is expected to increase as a result of the increased funding and a student transit pass project will be introduced as a pilot project.

About 5,000 commuters a day travel to Cape Breton University and NSCC Marconi campus on Grand Lake Road, half-way between downtown Sydney and Glace Bay.