Accessible Transportation

YARMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA -- (Marketwire) -- 04/07/10 -- Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, Ramona Jennex, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations and Arnold Muise, President of the Handicapped Organization Promoting Equality (HOPE), today announced funds for a new accessible minivan for the residents of the Town of Yarmouth, the Municipality of Yarmouth and the Municipality of Argyle.

"I am pleased to announce our government's support to help deliver improved transit options for the Yarmouth area," said MP Kerr. "This new minivan will provide safe, reliable and inclusive transportation services for the residents of the area. My congratulations go out to HOPE for their admirable work for the community."

"The launch of this new minivan is just one example of the many ways we are working with our federal partners to help communities become healthier and more prosperous for the benefit of all Nova Scotians," said Minister Jennex. "This is also a positive step towards greener and more sustainable communities."

HOPE provides accessible door-to-door transportation for seniors, the disabled and the disadvantaged in Yarmouth County through its HOPE Dial-a-Ride program. The new accessible vehicle will help accommodate the growing number of residents who require this transit service in and around Yarmouth. With a four-passenger capacity, or room for two wheelchairs, the new minivan will also increase wheelchair-accessible services being offered, as well as expand existing services for the community.

"We are delighted with the support we have received from both the federal and provincial governments," said Mr. Muise. "Since opening in 1981, we have become an important part of our community and, with this new van, we can continue to provide transportation services to those residents of Yarmouth and surrounding communities."

HOPE received $32,442 in funding through the Government of Canada's Public Transit Capital Trust 2008. In addition, the Government of Nova Scotia contributed $20,000 through its Accessible Transportation Assistance Program for the purchase of the new accessible minivan.

In Budget 2008, the Government of Canada provided $500 million for the Public Transit Capital Trust, which helps to fund public transit projects such as rapid transit, transit buses, and high-occupancy vehicle and bicycle lanes.

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