The Southeast Regional Transportation Initiative (SERTi), a collaborative partnership between the RM of Piney and Eco-West Canada with 13 partners, continues advocating for regional transportation options across rural Manitoba Southeast Regional Transportation Initiative continues to advocate for regional transit. Data Collection Ambassador Connie Gamble recently participated in a panel discussion highlighting the transportation challenges facing rural residents.
Gamble emphasized that rural residents are “highly dependent on private vehicles” and face extremely limited options when personal transportation isn’t available, with taxi costs potentially reaching $400-$500 for a simple shopping trip to Steinbach Southeast Regional Transportation Initiative continues to advocate for regional transit.
The initiative has launched the Buffalo Point Piney (BPP) Rent and Ride program, offering two vans (one accommodating seven passengers, another holding 10 with wheelchair accessibility) as a car-sharing service for community groups and organizations Southeast Regional Transportation Initiative continues to advocate for regional transit. The program operates as a nonprofit cost-recovery model, encouraging group trips to split expenses.
SERTi’s primary goal is to convene a symposium with rural participants and provincial representatives to discuss regional transportation solutions Southeast Regional Transportation Initiative continues to advocate for regional transit, as current government support is limited mainly to the Mobility Disadvantaged Transportation Program. The initiative seeks larger funding sources to create sustainable, long-term transportation alternatives for underserved rural communities.