Today, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced funding for transportation initiatives in the St. Anthony area and Corner Brook.
While speaking at an event in St. Anthony, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundlandand Labrador, announced $45,000 to SABRI (St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc.) Transit for a bus pass pilot program. SABRI focuses on social innovation and economic development on the Northern Peninsula, and a fixed-route transit system serving St. Anthony and surrounding communities is one of their operations. Premier Furey was joined by MHA for the District of St. Barbe-L’Anse aux Meadows, the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell Minister of Education.
Also today, in Corner Brook, the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture and MHA for the District of Corner Brook, was joined by His Worship Jim Parsons, Mayor of Corner Brook, to announce $120,000 in funding for a bus pass pilot for Corner Brook.
The funding announced today will allow SABRI and the City of Corner Brook to provide free monthly bus passes to people living in low income. Both initiatives will begin in April. Passes will be available to people receiving Income Support, youth receiving Youth Services from the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development, and Seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
In 2020 in St. John’s, the province began a successful pilot to provide free Metrobus passes for Income Support recipients. This was expanded in 2021 to include Seniors who receive the GIS and Youth Services Program clients.
Youth receiving services from Youth Services Program will receive a free bus pass through their regular, ongoing contact with their Children, Seniors and Social Development social worker.
Starting in April, seniors receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement can contact SABRI in St. Anthony and the City of Corner Brook on how to receive their bus pass. People receiving Income Support will be contacted by the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development with instructions on how to obtain their free bus passes.
Quotes
“As a government, we recognize that access to affordable transportation is at the heart of creating strong and healthy communities. The bus pass pilot program will help improve the well-being of residents by allowing greater mobility, access to affordable goods and services and opportunities for community participation and recreation.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Access to transportation allows people to enjoy more choice, more self-reliance, and have increased independence. We are grateful for the leadership and support of the City of Corner Brook and the SABRI in making these initiatives possible.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
“Today, our government is extremely pleased to support those who are taking progressive action for affordable transportation that is helping low-income residents in Corner Brook and St. Anthony to more actively participate in their communities. Investing in accessible transportation is not only assisting individuals, it is supporting our local businesses, as well as our many service, education, health and cultural centres, all while helping to build stronger, healthier, more vibrant communities.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
MHA for the District of Corner Brook
“Enhancing access to transportation on the Great Northern Peninsula is key to helping residents stay connected to services, programs, and their community. I am pleased to see the continued expansion of this transit program which has proven to be a useful resource for people throughout the region.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education
MHA for the District of St. Barbe-L’Anse aux Meadows
“In addition to doubling the capacity of our buses in December, this is yet another exciting step forward in making our city more accessible and affordable for residents. I want to express my sincere gratitude to our dedicated staff who worked tirelessly with the Provincial Government to secure this vital funding. This initiative will undoubtedly improve the quality of life for many in our community and I look forward to what else we can achieve in improving transit in 2025.”
His Worship Jim Parsons
Mayor of Corner Brook
“SABRI Transit was created in June 2024 thanks to initial funding from Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northpine Foundation to establish rural Newfoundland and Labrador’s only fixed route public transit service. Our vision to provide an affordable and accessible transit service has experienced an increase in ridership from youth, newcomers, seniors, and the general public. Today’s announcement will improve the quality of life for a number of people in the region on income support, youth in care and seniors with a guaranteed income supplement as our transit service gives them independence and access to our communities’ offerings. We look forward to building upon our partnership between St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc. (SABRI) and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to improve service delivery in our region.”
Wayne Noel, Chairperson
St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc.
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Learn more
Corner Brook Transit
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