Transit | People | Places | Now

We are Rail Connects Nova Scotia Alliance, a not- for-profit coalition of diverse sectors, interests, and individuals. We want to change the conversation about how people get around in Nova Scotia.

How to get involved

Join our Facebook Group,
Rail Connects - Connections
Click here
Or
Follow us over at LinkedIn,
Rail Connects Interest Page
Click here
With a provincial and municipal election coming in 2024, we want to amplify the opportunity and benefits of a rapid rail transit system to all candidates.

👀 Check back soon for a template to share with your MLA or Municipal Councillor!
The important thing about moving people around the province is - the people.

Share with us your challenges with the current transit systems.
Have you experienced affordability challenges? Equality issues due to age or disability? Or even loss of time with loved ones due to traffic.

Share your story with us below.

Tell us your Nova Scotia story

Rail Connects wants to see a Nova Scotia that is thriving. With an efficient transit system in place we anticipate each community could continue to have its’ own culture and economy while our population grows. We know from being coast to coast, that’s not the reality if we continue to only invest in highways. Share your story of how transit has impacted your quality of life.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email

What area of the province do you life in?

What challenges do you face because of the current ways in which you commute?

Rail connects considers benefits of a connected system to be; affordability, equality among ages and disability status, climate action, diversified economic growth and housing opportunities, community connection, tourism growth and more. Have any of these in your life been negatively impacted by the current system?

Do you have a specific memory you would like to share with us of when transit negatively impacted your quality of life?

Line

Can we share this statement with your representatives and the Rail Connects community?

Yes

Yes, but anonymously

No

Benefits of a Light Rail System

Promotes Smart Growth

• In appropriate, suburban, and rural areas throughout HRM.
• In rural communities throughout Nova Scotia.
• In tourism and business attraction.
• In transit-oriented development that can contribute to infrastructure costs.
Offers Health Benefits

.• Lower rates of respiratory and heart disease.
• Much lower accident rates.
• Improved quality of life - allows aging in place and fosters a more active lifestyle.
• Provides access to health services for older people and those who don't have a car.
Serves Equitability

• Provides opportunities for affordable housing.
• It offers access to services, jobs and recreation
•Makes it possible particularly for the most vulnerable populations (youth, older, lower income and rural residents) to have direct and more independent access to healthcare, education, employment, friends and opportunities.
Promotes Economic Benefits

• It substantially reduces transportation costs for the individual.
• Government spends +/-$ 500,000,000 building and maintaining highways with limited return on investment. The payback on public transit is estimated at 3:1. The economic benefit of Canada's existing transit systems is at least $10 billion annually - transit is a key ingredient in attracting new business operations, highly skilled workers and more tourists.

Rail Rapid Transit is key to Achieving the Provincial Climate Change Objectives

“Now is the time for Nova Scotia to invent, develop and build a public transit system which will grow our population, our economy, build and celebrate our assets, and make us more inclusive and attractive as a province”.