Northern Nova Scotia medical ride program to end Dec. 1

Nova Scotia Health's Northern Zone Transportation Pilot, which for three years has driven people in East Hants, Colchester, Cumberland and Pictou counties to non-urgent health-care appointments, will end on December 1. The health authority said that with federal funds exhausted and rural, non-medical transportation complex, the program became unsustainable. It says it is now contacting affected patients about alternatives. Riders include seniors, people with disabilities and low-income residents in areas without public transit, and one Lantz patient says she will have to cancel December appointments. Cumberland North MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin has called on the premier to reverse the decision immediately.