Press Releases, Articles and Videos
BAYRIDES COMMITTED TO FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY – FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 2018 – 2019
December 2019
BayRides is a registered charity that has been providing affordable, accessible door-to-door transportation in the St. Margaret’s Bay area since 2015. BayRides is focused on careful financial management to ensure the sustainability of our service. 71% of all annual costs are directly related to keeping our vehicles on the road, allowing us to provide over 9,100 trips, covering over 173,000 kms, during our 2018-19 fiscal year. Read Full Article
2018 – 2019 PRESIDENT’S REPORT
June 2019
It is hard to believe that a year has passed since I became Board Chair. It has been a great honour and pleasure working on the Board with such a talented and dedicated group of people during the past 12 months. It is gratifying to be part of an organization that provides such a valuable service to the local community. On assuming the presidency of BayRides I was aware that the organization was firmly established, well governed and growing and expanding at a rapid rate. I saw that our job as the Board was to keep the good ship BayRides on course by managing that growth, and ensuring sustainability of the organization over the long term. To keep with the ship metaphor, after one year, we have steered clear of the shoals and are cruising, at top speed, in open waters. We now have to plot the course over the next few years, make sure there is lots of fuel for the engines, a plethora of passengers, affordable fares, new destinations, and lifeboats aplenty should the need arise. Let me provide a few highlights of the last 12 months. Read Full Article
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING BY STUDENTS AT EAST ST. MARGARET’S SCHOOL
April 2019
East St. Margaret’s School in Indian Harbour has always been known for its community spirit, so it is not surprising that it is a WE School. The WE Schools program helps students think about issues like hunger, poverty and access to education at the local and global level. They are encouraged to find ways they can have a positive impact in their own community. Alyssa Morash, Brooklyn Lefort, and Riley Morash, who are members of the WE Club in their Grade 5-6 class, decided they wanted to raise money for a local community organization. After brainstorming with their principal, Mrs. Susan Casey, they chose BayRides. When asked why they picked BayRides, they said, “We see the BayRides vans going by our school every day and we all know people who don’t have a car or who can’t drive.” Read Full Press Release
BAYRIDES LAUNCHES TWO NEW VEHICLES
March 2019
On March 16, 2019, TD Bank kindly hosted the official “unveiling” of two additions to the BayRides fleet of vehicles. Peter Delefes, President of BayRides, opened the event with a few remarks about the affordable service BayRides offers. “The new accessible bus will accommodate a minimum of 12 passengers and two people in wheel chairs,” he explained. “Based on the life span of the old bus, which has already been sold, the new bus should be in service for about 15 years,” he said. “Both the bus and the new Dodge Caravan are essential additions to our fleet. Currently we are driving at least 50 people a day and that number is increasing. Last year our vehicles covered 90,000 km. This year we expect to reach 170,000 km.” Read Full Press Release
PLANIFAX – EXTENDED BAYRIDES INTERVIEW
March 2019
Video produced by PLANifax. We had a great time interviewing Dustin O’Leary from BayRides along with two wonderful BayRides users Chris and Ruth. We couldn’t fit everything into the first video so we’ve released this bonus video for anyone who wants to learn more about Rural Transit Providers in Nova Scotia.
PLANIFAX – RURAL TRANSIT IN NOVA SCOTIA
February 2019
Video produced by PLANifax.
BAYRIDES DISCUSSION WITH DUSTIN O’LEARY AND MATT WALSH
February 2019
Our Vice President, @DustinOLeary and @MattWalsh, a rider and supporter of BayRides sat down for a discussion of the our service and it’s place in the local community. Matt is an inspiring individual and he has started a VLog talking to local community groups so check it out.
BAYRIDES HAS ITS FIRST FULL-TIME DRIVER
January 2019
BayRides is very happy to announce that Hans Stokkeskog has been hired as Head Driver and Fleet Manager. He is a great addition to BayRides, not only because of his professional driving experience and knowledge of vehicles, but also his familiarity with the St. Margaret’s Bay area. “It’s the perfect job,” Hans says, “because I love driving and I love having conversations with people from all around St. Margaret’s Bay where I have lived for most of my life.” Read Full Press Release
SENIORS APPRECIATE THE WEEKLY BAYRIDES GROCERY SHUTTLE
October 2018
Every Tuesday morning BayRides operates the free Grocery Shuttle funded by the Seniors Association of St. Margaret’s Bay. Seniors are picked up at home and driven to either Sobey’s or the Superstore, depending on the week. When they have finished their shopping they are invited for refreshments in the store’s community room. Read Full Press Release
BAYRIDES IS PET FRIENDLY
September 2018
Cora Dehaven is a young woman who lives in an apartment with her faithful service dog. Cora and her little dog Jaydin have been using BayRides ever since it started. “Before BayRides,” she says, “getting anything done was almost impossible. I felt helpless. I felt I was a nuisance and a bother.” Read Full Press Release
PETER DELEFES NEW PRESIDENT OF BAYRIDES
July 2018
After two years at the helm of BayRides, Chris Pelham has left to focus on other activities, including the Community Enterprise Centre. On behalf of the Board of Directors of BayRides, the new president Peter Delefes expresses his sincerest thanks to Chris Pelham for his years of leadership and commitment to the organization. We look forward to Chris’ continued service as a volunteer driver for BayRides. Thanks also go to out-going director Andrew Stenhouse for his invaluable contributions. Read Full Press Release
GETTING YOU TO YOUR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS
June 2018
Lynn Coward, BayRides’ Dispatcher and volunteer driver, has had a number of calls recently from people asking whether it is possible to get transportation to medical clinics outside our area. Her answer is: “Yes, we can take you to and from your appointment – as long as you live somewhere in our district. If you need a ride to the Hammonds Plains Medical Clinic or the Cobequid Community Health Centre, for example, we can get you there.” BayRides’ district covers the St. Margaret’s Bay area which is bounded by Queensland, the Yankeetown Road, Hubley, and West Dover. Read Full Press Release
PEOPLE WHO USE BAYRIDES ARE GETTING YOUNGER!
May 2018
Sadie Jane is a dynamic young artist who moved to St. Margaret’s Bay a few years ago. She gives art lessons at her studio, but also has a part-time job near the crossroads. Since the fall of 2017, she has been using BayRides four times a week to get back and forth to work. Read Full Press Release
BAYRIDES WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
April 2018
The board of directors of BayRides is happy to announce that Patty King has been hired as the new Executive Director. She will replace Julie Stover who contributed immensely to the growth and efficiency of BayRides over the past two years. “Patty’s extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector will guide our governance and operations, building on the foundations established by Julie Stover,” says Chris Pelham, president.Read Full Press Release
BAYRIDES HOLDS LAUNCH PARTY
September 2015
BayRides officially launches on September 19, 2015!
FUNDING SUPPORTS NEW AND IMPROVED TRANSIT SERVICES
July 2015
BayRides receives funding from the Nova Scotia Transit Research Incentive Program. Click here for details
FUNDING SUPPORTS ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION
July 2015
Municipal Affairs Minister Mark Furey announces funding for accessible transportation Click here for details
BAYRIDES LAUNCHING TRANSPORTATION SERVICE THIS SUMMER
July 2015
Check out our article on page 6 of the MastHead News!
BAYRIDES RECRUITS MANAGER
April 2015
Rod Shaw, president of BayRides, is pleased to announce that Alison Donovan has joined BayRides in the position of manager. Click here for the whole story!
TD BANK GIVES BOOST TO BAYRIDES THROUGH THEIR MAKE TODAY MATTER CAMPAIGN
November 2014
The BayRides Board was presented with a TD Bank Customer Card, with $20,000 to buy the accessible bus they have been planning and fundraising for. Click here for the whole story!