All-Time List of Canadian Transit Systems
History of Nova Scotia Rural Paratransit Systems

While each implementation has its own characteristics there are several features which are typical (although none are universal):

• While in all cases these services are oriented towards the physically or economically disadvantaged, all describe their service as being open to anyone.
• Users often need to be residents (not visitors) and some systems require an annual registration, sometime with a nominal fee.
• Any sort of trip is eligible, including casual travel, shopping, medical appointments, and daily travel to work or school.
• Using the service requires booking in advance, typically 24 hours or one business day. For regular travel (to work or school, for example) a standing booking can often be made.
• Systems generally own/operate their own vehicles. Staffing may be volunteers. Organizations are generally non-profit.
• A trip or any part of a trip is not operated without a booking.

If the service operates or contracts to operate scheduled bus or minibus service it should be moved to the main section of the All-time List. Further information is always requested.

Annapolis County, Nova Scotia

Trans County Transportation Society (1999 - present)
Rural paratransit service. (website 2011).

system logo

Data source:

website 2011

Antigonish, Nova Scotia

Antigonish Community Transit (15 September 2014 - present)
A “flex-route system” operated by the non-profit Antigonish Community Transit Society. Service in the town of Antigonish began in mid-September 2014. Service in rural Antigonish County was expected to start a couple of weeks later (facebook 2014). (Chronicle herald 11 September 2014).

system logo 2014

Data source:

facebook 2014

Chester, Nova Scotia

Community Wheels (2008 - present)
Rural paratransit service operated by the Municipality of Chester Transportation Society. Two days per week. (website 2011).

Cheticamp, Nova Scotia

la Coopérative de transport de Chéticamp Ltée (2012? - present)
Demand-responsive transportation service for residents of Cheticamp, St.-Joseph du Moine, East Margaree, and Pleasant Bay (website 2014). Also uses the name l'Acabie.

l'Acabie logo 2014

Data source:

website 2014

Clare County, Nova Scotia

le Transport de Clare (1996 - present)
Rural paratransit service. Once weekly scheduled service between Bear River and Digby introduced 08 July 2011.

Colchester County, Nova Scotia

Colchester Transportation Cooperative Ltd. (? - present)
Rural paratransit service. (website 2011).

system logo

Data source:

website 2011

East Hants, Nova Scotia

East Hants Alternative Transportation Service (? - present)
Rural paratransit service operated by the East Hants Adult Learning Association. Requires 48-hours advance booking. (website 2011).

system logo

Data source:

website 2011

Kings County, Nova Scotia

Kings Point-to-Point Transit (1998 - present)
Kings Point-to-Point Transit provides a door-to-door public transportation service for all Central and Eastern Kings County residents (website 2015). Using the service requires one-time registration, and advance booking. Name of the service has evolved, originally being Kings County Alternative Transportation Services Society (1998 - ?), then Kings Para Transit (? - 2012).

New Glasgow - Trenton (Pictou County), Nova Scotia

CHAD Transit (1996 - present)
Rural paratransit service operated by the Central Highlands Association of the Disabled. (website 2011).

St. Margaret's Bay, Halifax, Nova Scotia

BayRides (July 2015 - present)
Non-profit organization providing public transportation in the St. Margaret's Bay area of Halifax. Service utilizes a bus plus volunteers' automobiles. Trips must be booked 24 hours in advance. Service area rotates through three zones (Mondays - north zone, Wednesdays - east/west zone, Fridays - south zone). (website 2015).

system logo

Data source:

website 2015

Shelburne County, Nova Scotia

Sou'West Nova Transit Association (September 2012 - present)
Rural paratransit service in Shelburne County. Service provided using one minibus supplemented by volunteer drivers using their own cars. Service open to all with a focus on the transit-dependent. Requires advance booking. (website 2013).

Truro, Nova Scotia

Cumberland County Transportation Services Society (early 2009 - present)
Rural paratransit service. (website 2011).

West Hants, Nova Scotia

West Hants Dial-A-Ride (? - present)
Rural paratransit service. (website 2011).

Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia

Handicapped Organization Promoting Equality (? - present)
Rural paratransit service.

References

• Nova Scotia Community-Based Transportation Association 2011.
• Community Transit Nova Scotia 2011.
• Rural Transportation Association 2013.