Residents of Victoria Co. are a week into a new transportation option.
The director of Victoria Co. Transit says it’s the latest rural transportation service in the province, and will be administered by Strait Area Transit reps.
Jessie MacDonald, who is also the director of Strait Area Transit, tells The Hawk municipal officials in Victoria Co. and their provincial counterparts requested the service.
“Especially with the aging population, council has reached out to us numerous times about how different residents have no options for transportation.”
MacDonald says they conducted community consultation in each district before they launched the service Sept. 9.
She says people need options to get to medical appointments, social events, and even school and part-time jobs.
“Those consultations were amazing, and we really confirmed the need for transportation in Victoria (Co.)- they’re so excited that it’s not a restricted service,” she says. “It’s door-to-door, it’s not a set route that runs down the Cabot Trail- we’ll literally drive to your door, pick you up, and take you wherever you need to go.”
MacDonald says the pilot project, which is fully funded by provincial officials, will run for two years.
She says municipal officials in Victoria Co. will have to pass a motion to take on some of the operational costs if they want the service to move beyond the pilot project.
