Canada opens rural transit grant intake process; awards projects in New Brunswick with funds

Two rural transit projects in northeastern New Brunswick will receive a combined C$1.14 million (US$850,000) to improve services and study new mobility options.

The Acadian Peninsula Regional Service Commission is receiving more than C$1 million (US$750,000) to launch a new regional system with the acquisition of six regular buses and one accessible bus. The vehicles will provide service on regular routes and will utilize five minivans to bring passengers from more remote areas to regular routes. The project will also include the installation of signs to identify pick-up and drop-off points, two propane tanks to allow for refueling, an in-vehicle point-of-sale system and bike racks.

"The addition of a public transit service will facilitate the mobility of our residents in a context of specific demographic challenges. Whether it is to improve access to the job market, health care and education, or to help retain young people and new immigrants, the Acadian Peninsula must have such a service in order to ensure its viability," said Mayor of Neguac and Vice-President of the Acadian Peninsula Regional Service Commission Georges Savoie.

The Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick has received a C$50,000 (US$37,400) grant to conduct a feasibility study on the design and implementation of a public transit service in the Chaleur region. The study will analyze the viability of such a service and propose different scenarios for access to services in the region.

"The progress of the public transit project in the Acadian Peninsula, and now in the Chaleur region, gives hope that all rural communities in New Brunswick could eventually benefit from such a service facilitating access to the labor market, health care and education, increasing the retention of young graduates and newcomers and improving access to public services. We are proud to participate in this project, which will undoubtedly have positive benefits for our members and the people of the community,” said Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick President Yvon Godin.

The funding for both communities is provided through the government of Canada’s Rural Transit Solutions Fund, which was implemented in 2021 to provide C$250 million (US$187 million) over a five-year timeframe to support the transit needs of the nation’s rural communities in which one in five Canadians live.

In addition to the funding for the New Brunswick communities, Infrastructure Canada launched the second intake for applications of capital projects through the fund. As of Jan. 20, the Rural Transit Solutions Fund, Capital Projects stream, is accepting applications on a continuous basis. The stream assists in funding capital costs such as purchasing vehicles, digital platform upgrades and the purchase of zero-emission vehicles.

"Rural communities across the country know best what works for them when it comes to public transit. Working together, we will create more inclusive communities and ensure rural Canada remains an incredible place to live, work and raise a family," said Canada’s Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, Dominic LeBlanc.