Trans County Transportation Society’s Debbie Decker spoke May 7 at a provincial conference that aims on moving public transportation forward in Nova Scotia.

Hosted by the Nova Scotia Community-Based Transportation Association, the event took place in Antigonish. Organizers contended that safe, affordable transportation is a necessity and a catalyst for change in many Nova Scotia communities.

Best practices were shared and future plans charted as the association hosted its annual general meeting and workshop at the Charles V. Keating Millennium Centre.

Decker is a NSCBTA director and manager of Trans County Transportation Society headquartered in Bridgetown. TCTS celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and in late April took possession of another vehicle to serve a growing clientele.

TCTS is a charitable organization that provides alternative transportation services to people unable to utilize public forms of transportation. Their goal is to provide safe, cost effective community based transportation to enrich the mental and physical well being of our members.

“The quest for safe, affordable transportation in Nova Scotia has forged alliances, heightened awareness, obtained essential services, and gained respect since our organization was formed more than eight years ago,” says David Mooney, chair of the NSCBTA. “However, this province still has a long way to go to meet the transportation needs of all its citizens.”

The day began with the annual meeting at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at noon. From 1 to 2 p.m., Shared Experiences highlighted successes to date in community transit, followed by an hour of breakout discussions to formulate next steps and action plans. Featured presenters included Malcolm Beaton, Strait Area Transit, speaking of progress to date with this new system serving Port Hawkesbury and area; Claredon Robicheau, Le Transport de Clare, an evolving system; Debbie Decker, Trans County Transportation Society (TCTS), which is expanding its service in the Valley region, and Ron Levy of the Central Highland Association of the Disabled (CHAD), which since 1995 has provided a bus service to its clientele in Pictou County.

“We have members from across the province representing a variety of interests. Working together has led to success so far, and will help us travel even further in the future,” said Mooney.