N.S. Liberals promise to cover transit fares if they win next election

Nova Scotia Liberal Leader Zach Churchill says his party will pick up the tab for public transit throughout the province if it wins the next provincial election.

"We believe that public transit should be within reach of every single person and a Liberal government will make that a reality," he said during a campaign-style announcement outside a Metro Transit terminal in Cole Harbour on Tuesday.

"Imagine being able to just jump on the bus, get your kids to daycare, get to work, go to the grocery store, without having to worry about passes, tickets or fumbling for change."

A provincial election is not scheduled until next July, but with politicians set to return to Province House this week for the fall session, Churchill gathered a group of Liberal MLAs and candidates for the announcement.

An effort to save people money

The Liberals say the plan would cost $65.6 million a year. That figure includes money to offset ridership fees and additional funding to help support service requirements for increased usage. Because it's based around a per-ride subsidy, the figure would go up as use increases.

Churchill told reporters the move would represent the first time the province entered into a true partnership with municipalities on public transit and would make Nova Scotia the first place in Canada to offer such a program. He said a similar program in Kansas City, Mo., resulted in increased ridership.

The move would reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions and save people money, said Churchill. A bus pass in Halifax Regional Municipality costs $1,080 a year, while in Cape Breton Regional Municipality it's $900. Churchill said people who decide to use public transit rather than drive their car could save even more money.

Transit user Jeneen Williams-Cain told reporters at the announcement that she would welcome being able to save that money and use it instead for other necessities.

Williams-Cain said she's seen more people using the bus since the COVID-19 pandemic in the face of challenges such as the cost of gas and difficulties finding parking.

In response to Tuesday's announcement, the Progressive Conservative caucus issued a statement attributed to Tory MLA Chris Palmer, whose Kings West district is served by Kings Transit.

Palmer called the announcement a "desperate" attempt by Churchill to turn around his political fortunes and distract from the Liberals' record on health care when the party was last in government.

He said Churchill should call on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to end the carbon tax. Churchill has already said he does not support the federal tax.

NDP Leader Claudia Chender said in a statement that it's essential to expand transit networks and make them more functional as the province continues to grow.

But she said the Liberals did nothing on that front when they were in government for eight years and the Tories have made little progress since coming to power in 2021. Affordable and reliable transit programs was a part of the NDP platform in the last election, she said.

Change in party roles

Backed by a sign that said "A better deal for Nova Scotians," Churchill said his party is focused on making life more affordable for people as cost-of-living pressures continue. He accused Premier Tim Houston's government of not doing enough to address such challenges.

"We've gone from being one of the most affordable places to live in this country over the last three years to the most expensive," said Churchill, who plans to table legislation during the fall session about the commitment to fund public transit fares.

Along with Tuesday's announcement and a previous promise to reduce the HST by two percentage points, Churchill said his party would have more announcements to come.

Churchill also announced Tuesday that Cole Harbour-Dartmouth MLA Lorelei Nicoll would become the party's new deputy leader, taking over for Bedford Basin MLA Kelly Regan. Regan announced last week that she will not reoffer in the next election.

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