A public transit system to serve the greater Truro area? Well, sure. Why not?
The idea, which is hardly a new concept, returned to the forefront recently when Truro Mayor Bill Mills told this paper that he had been approached by an unnamed individual with a transit system business plan.
The proposal includes routes in Truro, Bible Hill, Millbrook, Debert and, possibly, Brookfield if there is a demand. Hey, what about the fast-growing borough of Valley?
Anyhow, Mills is hyped up about the idea as is Colchester County Mayor Bob Taylor. The item is on this week's Colchester County meeting agenda and in this positive era of municipal co-operation don't be surprised to see the launch of a joint town/county feasibility study before the leaves start to turn colour.
We, of course, concur with our elected officials that the idea is worth a serious look.
There is a need in the community for public transportation, especially amongst seniors, college students and low-income earners.
Plus, it's an eco-friendly way to get around. Not quite up there with bicycles or walking but a heck of a lot better than all those SUVs and trucks that clutter up the roads.
Better yet, the private-sector component at play here surely means less risk for taxpayers.
But transit systems are costly to start up and maintain and they only make sense if enough people use them. To that end, perhaps the two local colleges could be approached about offering bus passes to all students for an attractive price, similar to what is done in Halifax Regional Municipality.
Ditto for seniors.
Will the buses be smaller than the Metro Transit fleet? Will public transit ever catch on so long as gas prices hover in the $1 range and potential customers stick to their vehicles?
Maybe, at the end of the day, greater Truro simply isn't big enough to support public transit. But a plan is in the works and we look forward to hearing more details.
