Proponents hope to build on Deseronto’s lead in spirit of partnership
Adam Bramburger
Beaver Staff
The Napanee & District Multicultural Association (NDMA) is hoping to get the wheels turning on an affordable transit system that would allow passengers to travel the corridor from Belleville to Kingston.
Last week, the NDMA met with Deseronto Transit officials to learn how the town of about 2,000 people started its own transportation system 10 years ago and expanded it to include routes into Napanee, Belleville, Prince Edward County, and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
The hope, says NDMA founder Cortwright Christian is to see a Napanee-supported service that goes east into Kingston paired with Deseronto’s existing service that goes west.
“It was all encouragement,” Christian said of the meeting.
Deseronto Transit has become a model for small-town transit success that the Napanee & District Multicultural Association hopes to emulate. Here, Mayor Norm Clark and Hastings-Lennox and Addington MP Mike Bossio share in a March funding announcement.
The idea was rooted in May when the association was trying to support some refugees who moved into the Napanee area. There was a requirement for them to have English-as-a-second-language training, but the service wasn’t offered in town. Christian said he knew it was offered in Kingston, but co-ordinating rides back and forth daily provided to be a challenge. Someone suggested sending the newcomers into Belleville because the Deseronto Transit service already provides a link.
“It’s one of the best-kept secrets there was,” Christian said. “I had a nice conversation with the lady there and they told me they can come into Napanee… I thought, ‘Why doesn’t Napanee have something?’ Well, here is an opportunity. We can go from Napanee to Kingston and all of a sudden we can have this whole corridor. The more I spoke, the more agreement I got.”
Knowing the NDMA is a not-for-profit that aims to address inequities, support youth, offer fulfillment through, and work towards solutions to community issues, Christian brought his cause to president Grace Abrena and suggested it might be something they could champion and fundraise for.
Abrena says that NDMA has already been in contact with MP Mike Bossio about possible grants for the extension of the service. Discussions with MPP Daryl Kramp and stakeholder groups in Napanee will follow in hopes that others will be able to find ways to support the initiative.
“We have to apply for grants and I think the people from Deseronto are willing to help us apply for the grants that are available. Many community groups in Napanee say they can help us and get people informed,” she said. “Nothing is carved in stone, but if we can make it work, that’s pretty good. That way we could also reduce our carbon footprint if we use the bus instead of driving down. Maybe students that come from Napanee to Kingston will have opportunities and especially the youth. They can probably find jobs in Kingston that would help them in the future.”
Christian, who himself is running for a seat on council, said it was important that the NDMA float the transit idea publicly before the fall election campaign gets into full swing. That should give all candidates time to make a decision on whether they will support the project.
“With council out right now, we have to do the legwork and have everything ready. They get back together in November and they can have something to be looking at. We’re looking at a feasibility study,” Christian said.
He said between now and then, he’s hoping to meet with Deseronto Mayor Norm Clark and other key players to learn more details about the operation and how gas tax funding can support it. Working with that knowledge and forging a strong partnership between the two communities, he believes, is better than reinventing the wheel.
“Their experience in Deseronto is the greatest thing that could ever happen. They’re already connected with Napanee,” he said. “Nobody in Napanee took the bull by the horse so we could do the whole corridor. That’s what’s missing. I see higher education, I see youth, I see family movement, and I see employment. Whether it’s Belleville or Kingston, we’d have transit to get you there.”