FREDERICTON (GNB) – New Brunswick has joined its Maritime counterparts in providing financial support to Tri-Maritime Bus for maintaining bus operations throughout the region.

The provincial government has allocated more than $400,000 to the company, which operates Maritime Bus.

“Tri-Maritime Bus provides an important, accessible and affordable intercity and interprovincial bus service to New Brunswick residents,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Gary Crossman, who is also minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation. “Supporting this company as we recover from the pandemic will ensure that it can continue to move passengers from region to region for work, scheduled appointments, post-secondary commutes, sporting and social events, and visiting family and friends.”

About 40 per cent of the company’s ridership is from New Brunswick and over 20 per cent of ridership stays within the province. This financial support will help the company cover its losses due to the pandemic, maintain rural and northern routes, and respond to the increased desire to travel as the economy and tourism begin to rebound.

The government’s investment comes from the Regional Development Corporation’s Rural Economy Fund. Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island are contributing a combined $500,000.