(EDITOR’S NOTE: Following is a letter to Annapolis County residents from Warden Reg Ritchie explaining the county’s decision to seek and alternative to Kings Tranist.)

To Residents of the County of Annapolis:

In December, Annapolis County Municipal council made a decision to begin contract negotiations with Trans County Transportation Society (TCTS) to replace Kings Transit as the county’s local transit service manager. The county issued a press release on this matter; however, it would appear that some facts have been misunderstood by residents which is resulting in confusion and concern. It is my hope to clarify these misunderstandings and explain the rationale for this strategic decision of council.

I think it would be most helpful to start with some basic facts on our existing transit service that is presently being provided by Kings Transit. The service includes a route from Greenwood to Bridgetown (Annapolis East bus) and a route from Bridgetown to Cornwallis (Annapolis West bus). The county does, in fact, own the buses for both routes. We purchased the Annapolis East bus for $302,132 in 2005 and the Annapolis West bus for $288,535.67 in 2007. The county pays for ALL costs associated with the operation of both buses (ie: driver wages, workers compensation, bus maintenance, wiper blades, fuel, etc.) PLUS approximately $60,000 per year to Kings Transit to manage the service for us.

The county pays approximately $287,000 per year for the entire transit service. The taxpayers of Annapolis County subsidize the Annapolis East bus service by 48 per cent (ridership fares are budgeted at $120,310 and the municipal subsidy is budgeted at $110,116) and subsidize the Annapolis West bus service by 73 per cent (ridership fares are budgeted at $65,700 and the municipal subsidy is budgeted at $177,202). Municipal council recognizes that a 73 per cent subsidy is a concern and efficiencies must be identified to address this situation. With TCTS’s help we will be looking for potential solutions.

Negotiations begin with TCTS for new Annapolis County Transit

Annapolis County residents could be riding their own public transportation system in 2012 if negotiations with Bridgetown-based Trans County Transportation Society don't hit any roadblocks.

Annaplis County council agreed December 20 to move forward with negotiations with Trans County Transportation to provide bus service in Annapolis County. The proposed name is Annapolis County Transit (ACT). Council said efficiency and flexibility will lead to cost savings while providing maximum service.

In a media release, the county said the decision was made after many months of consideration and discussion among municipal council after receiving a proposal from the Trans County Transportation Society. Annapolis County Transit would replace King’s Transit which currently provides the service that is subsidised by Annapolis County taxpayers.

Trans County Transportation Society (TCTS) received a welcome response to our vehicle replacement fundraising drive. On October 28, 2011 the Bridgetown branch of the Valley Credit Union presented TCTS with a cheque of $5,000 toward our goal. On hand to represent the Valley Credit Union was Branch Manager, Gary Olsvik along with Mike Wark, President and CEO, Martin Gillis, Board Chair and Doug Oldford, Secretary of the Valley Credit Union.

General Manager, Debbie Decker and Phil Milo, Board Chair were there on behalf of TCTS to receive the much-welcomed donation.

Some of the comments made:

Annapolis Royal, 25 October 2011: The Annapolis West Health Foundation (AWHF) and the Trans County Transportation Society (TCTS) have signed a new contract to provide reduced fare transportation for medical appointments for people in the catchment area of the Annapolis Community Health Centre (ACHC).

The two organizations have partnered for the past three years to provide patients of ACHC transportation to medical appointments in Middleton, Kentville, Halifax, and other communities. This new contract has tightened up the language of the document and has also better defined the catchment area to ensure that ACHC clients are better served. More importantly, the contract has reduced the cost of the individual fares from those which were charged under the previous agreement and included wheelchair accessibility for those who require this service. The new fares have been in effect since the first of May 2011.

For medical appointments for those in the ACHC catchment area, the cost of a return trip to Halifax, has been reduced to $60 and the return trip to Kentville is now $30. A medical trip to Middleton and return will cost just $20.