The Municipality of North Norfolk's taking advantage of some funding provided for public transit infrastructure. Mayor Neil Christoffersen shares their plans if they're selected.

"It was announced by the federal government that federal and provincial money is being put into it. And it also applies to big cities for their big infrastructure projects as well as rural Handivan projects. So, our Handivan committee got together and tossed it all over. We can get up to $50,000 to replace our Handivan."

He notes it'll coincide with money they've already saved for the service.

"Our Handivan is only four years old, but we got an opportunity like this, and as one of the committee members mentioned, we hate to leave money laying on the table. We can get three quarters of a new vehicle paid for, and we have the money saved up already in the Handivan account. As we're working toward a ten year timeline to replace it, we've already saved $20,000 for the replacement of the next Handivan."

Christoffersen says the application's been made, and there are several other communities that also applied, so it's a matter of receiving word as to whether or not they'll be selected. Application deadline was the end of August, and a portion of the overall infrastructure funding was dedicated to Handivans. Christoffersen says they thought about getting a second Handivan, but there wasn't the ridership in the area necessitating two vehicles. He notes they started from nothing and use of the service was well received since they promoted the service throughout the municipality, but he adds there's still more room for increased usage.