Bridgewater transit excursion a success!

A new feature of the Bridgewater streetscape – bus stop signs! (Photo – Tim Hayman)

On October 21st, Transport Action Atlantic hosted its second Nova Scotia Members Event. A group of 10 TAA members made their way to Bridgewater NS on what turned out to be a gorgeous fall day, to explore the newest addition to the public transit world in the Maritimes. The Town of Bridgewater recently launched a transit system as a pilot project, with funding support from the Province and a pair of buses generously donated by the city of Halifax.

For most of the attendees, the day began at the VIA Rail station in Halifax – a convenient meeting location, though sadly the last train for Bridgewater departed many, many years ago. The trip to Bridgewater helped to highlight one of the major remaining gaps in the public transportation system in Nova Scotia, as the only option for getting there was by car. Most of the group met up here to carpool, while a few others from the area would arrive in Bridgewater on their own.

Arriving in town, the group made its way to Lanna Thai restaurant on King St., just a few blocks from the bus stop where the main highlight of the trip would begin. Lunch wrapped up with a little while to spare before the hourly bus would arrive, so the group explored the public parks along the waterfront.

The group poses by the waterfront in a park that was formerly a parking lot – an excellent re-use of that space! (Photo by TAA VP Ashley Morton)

A short while later and right on schedule, the bus arrived! Bridgewater Transit is Continue reading “Bridgewater transit excursion a success!”

TAA hosts successful Nova Scotia members event

A group of people wait on a station platform as a teal VIA passenger train arrives
Attendees of TAA’s Nova Scotia Members Rendez-vous excursion wait on the platform in Truro as VIA #14 arrives. (Photo – Tim Hayman)

On Saturday, March 18th, TAA hosted the first of what we hope will be many events for our members. This event was targeted primarily towards our members in Nova Scotia, as we set out on an excursion from Halifax to Truro and back. At noon, seventeen TAA members (including our Vice President and several members of the board) gathered at the VIA Rail/Maritime Bus station in downtown Halifax and boarded Maritime Bus Route 103 to head to Truro. As we boarded the bus driver commented that this was an unusually busy trip for that time on a Saturday…we doubled what he guessed would be a “normal” load!

Despite running slightly behind schedule the bus trip was smooth and uneventful, with only two short stops in Dartmouth and at the airport. The chatter on board throughout the trip was full of discussion about public transportation locally and farther afield!

Upon arrival in Truro we made our way to the Engineroom Pub, where we enjoyed lunch before migrating over to the adjacent VIA Rail station. The waiting room was surprisingly busy – it seems we weren’t the only ones making the trip in to Halifax! Our wait in the station gave us a chance to talk a bit more about what TAA was up to, and provide an opportunity for members to provide feedback on what they thought we were doing well (or not so well), and what they’d like to see us do in the future. There were some excellent ideas floated during this chat. Continue reading “TAA hosts successful Nova Scotia members event”