Tag: John Pearce Award

PEI PREMIER HONOURED BY TRANSPORT ACTION ATLANTIC

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Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King (centre) receives Transport Action Atlantic’s John Pearce Award from TAA president Tim Hayman (right), and past president Ted Bartlett. (Submitted Photo)

Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King has been named the winner of Transport Action Atlantic’s John Pearce Award for 2022, recognizing outstanding contribution to public transportation in the region.

“According to Statistics Canada, PEI ranks among the most car-dependent regions in the nation,” says TAA president Tim Hayman. “But Premier King is clearly determined to change that unfortunate situation, and his outstanding leadership on the public transit file is unquestionably making a difference. The introduction of island-wide ‘toonie transit’ and the $20 monthly pass has demonstrated that it is most certainly possible to live in small towns and rural communities without the substantial financial burden of car ownership.”

The decision to honour Premier King for his progressive initiatives was made late in 2022, but the presentation was deferred because of the looming provincial election. TAA is a strictly non-partisan advocacy group, and did not wish to be perceived as taking sides in the campaign.

From a pilot project launched in October 2021 serving Souris, Georgetown, Montague and other communities on the eastern end of PEI, Island Transit has expanded to reach westward to Alberton and Tignish, and north to the Cavendish area where it has enabled seasonal workers without cars to accept jobs in the tourism industry. In March 2022 the Province went a step further, introducing the $20 island-wide monthly transit pass on a trial basis. That’s the fare for adult riders; seniors and students pay just half that price, and everyone under 18 rides for free. The pass is also valid on T3 Transit in Greater Charlottetown. Ridership on both systems is steadily growing, with 2600 passes purchased in November.

The program proved so successful that the government funding has been extended indefinitely, and Premier King tells TAA it enjoys a wide base of support among islanders from all walks of life and political
persuasions. It was an easy decision to make, he says, as it both reduces the province’s carbon footprint and helps make life more affordable for islanders.

“Canada’s smallest province has set a very progressive example for other jurisdictions to follow,” said Tim Hayman. “Transport Action Atlantic encourages the other three premiers in our region to take a closer look at what Premier King has achieved, and consider launching similar public transit initiatives in their provinces.”

The John Pearce Award was created to commemorate Transport Action Atlantic’s long-time former president, who devoted more than 40 years to public transportation advocacy. It is awarded annually to an individual or group to recognize an outstanding contribution, consistent with Mr. Pearce’s life-long passion.

Transit advocate wins 2018 John Pearce Award

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Michael Perry presents the 2018 John Pearce Award to Stan Choptiany.
South West New Brunswick Transit Authority chair Stan Choptiany of St. Andrews NB (at right) receives the 2018 John Pearce Award from Michael Perry, a long-time member of Transport Action Atlantic’s board of directors. This year’s outstanding public transportation advocacy award recognizes Mr. Choptiany’s leadership in returning daily bus service to rural Charlotte County.

The chair of the South West New Brunswick Transit Authority is the 2018 winner of Transport Action Atlantic’s John Pearce Award, recognizing outstanding contribution to public transportation advocacy in the region.  Stan Choptiany was honoured at TAA’s annual general meeting, held in Moncton on May 5.

The former mayor of St. Andrews was cited as someone who initially saw the need, was instrumental in establishing the transit authority, and then worked diligently as its chair, guiding it through the labyrinth of government funding sources while tirelessly maintaining contact with potential riders.

“Stan has clearly demonstrated his belief in rural public transit as an essential public service,” said Michael Perry, a long-time member of TAA’s board of directors who presented the award on behalf of the advocacy group.

“During his term as mayor, Stan came to the realization that a growing number of his constituents were prevented from full participation in the resources and benefits of both society and the economy because they lacked the freedom to readily access transportation. These included a broad demographic: seniors no longer wishing to drive, young people, particularly of college student age, people with disabilities, newly-arrived immigrants, and those unable to drive or whose financial situation precluded the purchase of a car. Their growing isolation from a society where mobility is a necessity became an increasing cause of concern, which resulted in many being unable to access timely health care, employment, and post-secondary education.”

The John Pearce Award was created to honour Transport Action Atlantic’s president emeritus, who retired last year from active participation after 40 years of dedicated public transportation advocacy.  It is awarded annually to an individual or group to recognize an outstanding contribution, consistent with Mr. Pearce’s life-long passion.

“Stan Choptiany’s ‘never-say-die’ leadership ultimately achieved the return of daily bus service linking rural communities in Charlotte County with Saint John,” says TAA president Ted Bartlett.  “Without his tireless efforts, last September’s start-up of RuralLynx almost certainly would not have happened.  We thank him for his contribution, and will continue to support his efforts to make this service a success, and a model for transit in other rural areas of Canada.”