The need is readily evident, especially in an area such as Lunenburg County where there is a large and widely scattered rural population. There are seniors and there are disabled individuals for whom what ought to be easy and commonplace errands are a frustrating chore because they must rely on relatives and/or neighbours for the transportation that is necessary if one is to cash a cheque, buy a carton of milk, keep a doctor's appointment or do any other of the myriad tasks which befall those seeking to live in their own homes.

Until a generation ago, local bus systems served many pards of Lunenburg County. There was a railway which provided convenient connections with Halifax and the Annapolis Valley. Residents of Caledonia in Queens County had a regular train link to Bridgewater. In those days, too, shopping was a simple matter because of the mobile stores of "store-to-your-door" services.

The one mistake the Lunenburg County Steering Committee may be making is in its apparent assumption that the problem is a local one. In fact, with a very few noteworthy exceptions in Kings and Pictou counties, the matter is of general interest throughout Nova Scotia. For that reason, provincial government officials should be collaborating with regional groups in seeking solutions to the need for adequate public transportation.

It must be kept in mind that public transportation is an integral part of tourism. Supporting statistics are not available because Nova Scotia never has paid much attention to those vagabonding persons whose idea of a holiday is travel by train and bus from one community to another. Nevertheless, one meets tourists on the train between Halifax and Montreal whose complaint is they would have liked to see more of Nova Scotia but no public transportation existed.

For the convenience of our own people and of visitors, this province needs to take a long and careful look at its public transportation network. Lunenburg County is making an important move in the right direction, but the area of its concern may be too limited to make for practical decisions.

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