Bridgewater Transit is getting its first new bus.
Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine was at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre Tuesday to announce the town will receive $350,000 from the province to help with the purchase.
Glavine says after growing their service from zero to 37,000 riders in 18 months, Bridgewater is a model that could be repeated for other towns across the province.
“Be able to say, go and visit the folks in Bridgewater. They’ve got a very good thing going and they’re planning not for just next year, but they’re planning ten years out.”
.@GlavineLeo announces $350k for purchase of new @TownBridgewater bus pic.twitter.com/Kbu0qPybHh
— Ed Halverson (@edwardhalverson) April 16, 2019
The announcement almost left Bridgewater Mayor David Mitchell at loss for words.
“I had everything, kind of in my head prepared. And then when you hear the minister stand up and say $350,000 for the purchase of a new bus, it kind of hits you. It kind of floored me. I can’t overstate how incredible this is.”
Mayor David Mitchell says the impact of transit investment will be felt for generations. @CommonSenseNS @MarkFurey1 @GlavineLeo @nsgov #nspoli #publictransit pic.twitter.com/uLsRRQIWDX
— Ed Halverson (@edwardhalverson) April 16, 2019
Mayor David Mitchell says the town were prepared to go it alone and had already set aside up to $600,000 for a new bus in their latest budget.
This funding will help to offset that cost.
Currently, Bridgewater Transit is operating its service with two busses donated by Halifax Transit.
Mitchell says staff will determine if at least one of those busses can remain in service as a back-up once the new vehicle arrives.
He says staff will now review quotes and decide which bus best suits the town’s needs.
Mitchell expects the new bus will be in service early next year.
Reported by: Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
