Nova ScotiaThe Municipality of Colchester and Town of Truro are putting forward two bus service concepts for the public to provide input on as part of a feasibility study. Last year, both councils voted to study what public transit could look like in the region. Online survey features options with different coverage and frequency Luke Ettinger · CBC News · Posted: Nov 12, 2025 5:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 3 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Jennifer Mantin, an economic development officer with the Municipality of Colchester, explains two transit concepts at an open house on the Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus in Bible Hill, N.S. (Luke Ettinger/CBC)Two options under consideration to provide public transit in the Municipality of Colchester and Town of Truro have been put forward for public input as part of a feasibility study.Last year, both councils voted to examine what public transit could look like in the region.“We’re getting really great feedback from the community, which is super exciting,” said Jennifer Mantin, an economic development officer for the Municipality of Colchester.“So we’ve gathered some information to date, and now we’ve developed two concepts — one that focuses on a larger coverage area within the Colchester-Truro region and one that’s a more condensed area in the region,” Mantin said in an interview.The Town of Truro and Municipality of Colchester are asking for the public’s input on two transit concepts developed as part of a feasibility study. (Arcadis)The larger coverage area would see hourly bus service within Truro, Bible Hill, Millbrook First Nation, Truro Heights, Salmon River, Lower Truro, Onslow and Hilden. The plan would also be to offer once- to twice-weekly shuttle service to Tatamagouche, Bass River and Stewiacke. The more condensed model would feature 30-minute service but would be limited to Truro, Bible Hill, Millbrook First Nation, Truro Heights and a smaller portion of Salmon River. Both concepts include plans for a commuter line to and from the Debert area, something Mantin said could support future growth in the industrial park. “The industry out there has really vocalized the need for transit,” she said. “I’ve had employers say to me before, if one person calls in sick, four people call in sick because they’re carpooling.” An online survey and open houses are part of the consultation process.Mantin said a final report, expected to come before the municipal councils in early 2026, will have more details about the capital and operating costs of a transit service in the community.If the municipal governments approve of pursuing a service, she said the earliest buses would hit the road is 2027. Current service Colchester Transportation Cooperative Limited (CTCL) now provides door-to-door transit service to the entire county, which has a population of about 51,500 people. Anyone can use the service, which is funded by the province, municipalities and ridership. Bookings are accepted a minimum of 24 hours in advance, and large groups can charter the vehicles on evenings or weekends.MORE TOP STORIESABOUT THE AUTHORLuke Ettinger is a reporter with CBC Nova Scotia based in Truro. Reach him at luke.ettinger@cbc.ca.
Truro, Colchester residents weigh in on public transit maps
