Queens County Transit adds vehicles with funding from Ottawa, Nova Scotia
Queens County Transit has received government funding to expand its fleet and to keep up with the growing demand for its service.
The non-profit based in Liverpool has bought two new hybrid SUVs, thanks to $116,293 in funding from the federal and provincial governments.
Alex Doggett is the chairman of the Queens County Transit Society.
“It came at a very opportune time for us. We were in this condition where we were refusing rides because we didn’t have enough vans and drivers.”
The new vehicles have been on the road since early April, Doggett said. The service now has eight vehicles, five of which are wheelchair-accessible vans.
“By having the two vehicles, we’re able to keep up with most of the requests, not all of them,” he said. “It’s quite amazing how busy the vans are.”
Queens County Transit gave more than 8,000 rides last year. In April alone, their fleet was out 700 times.
The service has been operating since 2018, when it started with three vehicles. It provides a relatively low-cost transportation option for anyone in Queens County. But it’s become an important resource for seniors and those on low incomes.
The federal government chipped in $93,034 through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund with the Nova Scotia government contributing the remaining 20 per cent, or $23,259.
Kim Masland, Nova Scotia’s public works minister and the MLA for Queens, said at an announcement on Friday that the funding will make a big difference in the community.
“I am so proud to support you. I have never been more proud and humbled to be the MLA for an area that is just growing more and more every day. And the big thing we take away every night is our hearts. The people’s hearts in this community are absolutely incredible and they open them up and do the right thing every day for the people that surround them.”
Doggett said the service survives thanks to government funding like this and support from the community. The Region of Queens municipality also committed $48,500 in funding to the service for this fiscal year.
“What it means is that we didn’t have to go into a fundraising situation, going to the public,” he said. “Where we’re non-profit, it gets very tight at the end of the fiscal year for us and it’s always great to have these types of programs.”
He said the cost of gas has doubled in the past year and maintenance costs have also risen.
“It’s really been quite an undertaking and hopefully it will continue into the future.”
Doggett said Queens County Transit is always looking for new volunteers and board members to help ensure the service thrives for a long time.
“We’re at the point a number of us are seniors and it’s time to get some younger blood in to carry on with this. Some of us are getting to the point where we’re probably going to be stepping down and hopefully get other people to come in and take over.”
The society has its annual general meeting scheduled for June 18 at 10 a.m. at their headquarters at 31 Milton Rd. in Liverpool.
To book a ride with Queens County Transit, call 902-356-2670 or message them through their Facebook page.
Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com
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