For some time now the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)  Nova Scotia has been exploring and advocating for a commuter rail line to connect through HRM to surrounding rural communities. The idea is powerful, and it establishes the need for an effective rail transit link between the major urban area in the province and the larger region (and points of entry).  This proposal was based upon a battery charged train system with the power required for the charging to be from renewable sourced energy.  Except for one small area in the downtown core, it was located entirely within the former and existing rail right-of-way. More detailed information about the concept can be found here. 

HRM has created and adopted an Integrated Mobility Plan. The Plan makes a powerful and persuasive case for public transit of high quality with some priority over other traffic. It links transit with land use and active transportation. The system is focused on Bus Rapid Transit contained largely within an urban boundary. The concept is constrained in scope, ambition and time frame. It doesn’t deal with rural areas or regional transit. It has a short 5-year timeframe. It doesn’t attempt to change the modal split (transit ridership) in any significant way; transit buses are still mixed to a large extent with other traffic and transit stops/stations haven’t been improved.

The provincial government through its latest initiatives has recognized the need for change and action in 3 priority areas: health, housing and transportation. the truth is that each of these areas is important and requires attention. Its also true that they are interconnected and difficult to resolve on their own.

Over the last 3 or 4 years, Leading with Transit, brought together Business improvement Districts from across HRM, community groups from around the Province, Planning organizations, local economic development agencies, environmental groups, affordable housing proponents, health providers, Citizens for public transit and 100”s of people/residents from across the province, to develop the idea that light rail public transit is essential to HRM and Nova Scotia’s future. Leading with Transit is seen as the vision for Nova Scotia. It will affect how we think about transportation if public transit is becomes the best and first choice for everyone. It affects housing affordability through Transit Oriented development at stations across the province; it will encourage walking and biking and make more room for people on the street: improve health and access to health and other services; attract more business and people to the province: improves tourism potential and affect our economy, while it also responds to climate change. The idea is described in the Leading with Transit Document

All of this has led to the creation of Rail Connects Nova Scotia

The idea and efforts of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Nova Scotia (BOMA) to create a commuter rail system for HRM and surrounding regions.