Bridgewater Town Council discussed accessible transportation options at its July 13, 2026 meeting, noting that a local non-profit now offers free, door-to-door rides with wheelchair lifts across the region. Mayor David Mitchell presided over the session in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, where councillors reviewed taxi fare regulations and alternatives aimed at making it easier for residents with mobility challenges to get around.
Lunenburg County Wheels is a registered non-profit that currently subsidizes rides to $0.00 per rider for the towns of Bridgewater, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg and nearby communities. The service uses four 8-passenger Dodge ProMaster vans, each with a lift (two with bike racks), so passengers can remain in their wheelchairs during the trip, plus one 7-passenger Dodge minivan.
The service area covers western Lunenburg County, including the Towns of Bridgewater, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay, and the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. It began in 1992 as the Senior Wheels Association of Bridgewater, originally serving seniors and people with physical disabilities within a seven-kilometre radius of town, and expanded with more than $290,000 in provincial funding in 2023 to become an inclusive service for all ages and abilities.
Council also heard about fixed-route options. Bridgewater Transit has operated a 19-passenger wheelchair-accessible bus since September 2017, running once per hour. Single fares are $2.00 for adults and seniors, $1.50 for students and youth; unlimited monthly passes cost $45.00 for adults and seniors, $30.00 for students and youth.
The accessibility discussion aligns with regional efforts: five municipalities in Lunenburg County formed the Lunenburg County Accessibility Advisory Committee in 2019 and released the updated Lunenburg County Accessibility Plan 2025-2028 in April 2025. Bridgewater also has its own Town of Bridgewater Accessibility Committee that reports to council.
Agendas and meeting recordings from the council session are available on the town website.
