Northern Zone Transportation Pilot Program reaches completion

Nova Scotia Health’s Northern Zone Transportation Pilot will come to an end as of Dec. 1, 2026. Public Health is working directly with affected clients to support their transition and provide information about alternative transportation services in their area.

Dialysis patients eligible for Medical Transport Service (MTS) will be transitioned to that program as available.

Nova Scotia Health Public Health has been offering transportation support in Northern Zone through the Transportation Pilot since August 2023. The program offered transportation support to all medical and wellness appointments, acknowledging the broad needs of community members to stay well, while reducing barriers to accessing healthcare.

Please see the following link for alternative transportation options in the Northern Health Zone https://www.nshealth.ca/clinics-programs-and-services/transportation-support-northern-zone.

If transportation continues to be a barrier after attempting all options, we encourage patients at risk of missing or cancelling their appointment to speak with their healthcare team in advance of their appointment.

The Transportation Pilot program was offered through federal funding, with additional assistance from the province.

Between exhausting federal funds, and the complexities of rural, non-medical transportation, the program quickly became unsustainable.

Public Health will continue working with partners to support the need for accessible transportation options for all Nova Scotians.

After three years, the context of healthcare access in Northern Zone has shifted. Many program areas have brought services closer to home: home health models, virtual care options, expanded dialysis treatment facilities, and expanded local services in various program areas. 

Link Nova Scotia’s Regional Transportation Plan includes priority recommendations for actions to enhance rural connections. Public Health maintains an ongoing relationship with Link Nova Scotia to share program learnings to improve rural transportation across Nova Scotia.

The province recently invested more than $1.3-million to support not-for-profit transportation operators in Colchester and Cumberland counties who provide door-to-door transportation services in rural areas where traditional fixed-route transit service is not suitable.

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