For those without a vehicle in Charlotte County, life is about to get a little easier.
The provincial government is investing $500,000 to help provide affordable bus transportation in a pilot project run by the Southwest New Brunswick Transit Authority.
Premier Brian Gallant says the Rural Lynx Maritime Bus Service will commence this fall.
“You’re going to be able to live in Saint John, and maybe come work in St. Stephen at the Ganong Factory. You’re going to be able to live in St. Stephen and maybe go work at the IBM IT department in Saint John. It’s going to help our people get to the jobs they have the skills for and are interested in.”
Gallant also spoke about how the service would provide educational opportunities, “You’ll be able to live in Saint John and maybe take a course in Saint Andrews in Hospitality & Tourism at the NBCC. You’re going to be able to live in Saint Andrews and maybe go and take nursing at the UNBSJ institution. So this is giving educational opportunities to our people as well.”
He also touched base with the importance of access to healthcare for those who can not drive to the Saint John Regional Hospital, “We all also recognize the importance of hospitals like the Saint John Regional Hospital to all New Brunswickers, and to the people of Charlotte County as well. This public transportation announcement is going to ensure the people in this region have good access to good healthcare throughout their lives.”
The passenger bus and parcel service will run twice-daily, seven days a week, between St. Stephen and Saint John, with proposed stops in Saint Andrews, St. George, and Pennfield.
Maritime Bus President Mike Cassidy says the service will be running on, or before, September 15th.
