Northern Residents Benefiting From Safer And Affordable Travel

Feb 2, 2018 | 10:54 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — Thousands of Northern BC residents, women and teenaged girls specifically, are benefiting from the new transportation services put in place by the Highway 16 Transportation Action Plan, developed in close consultation with the province, First Nations and local governments.

The first transit service started on January 30, 2017, connecting Smithers and Moricetown in 30 minutes. Since then, new affordable connections have launched, connecting Burns Lake and Prince George, Burns Lake and Smithers, and Terrace and the Hazeltons.

Travelling in between these northern communities have provided an affordable option for people. A one-way fare is $2.75 for the Smithers-Moricetown route and for the other routes, it’s only $5. 

With more routes and affordability, ridership numbers continue to climb. Over 9,000 passengers have used the new transit services since the summer. More than 7,000 of those passengers are from the Vanderhoof and Saik’uz community route.

About 100 First Nations have taken the driver-education program, with another 200+ expected to be trained this year in order to operate the community transportation service.

To help increase safety and visibility along Highway 16, seven new webcams have been installed with more expected in the near future. 15 new bus shelters have been installed, along with five traveller shelters. Prince George and Terrace are expected to get shelters installed this spring.

To learn more about the action plan, visit Highway 16 Action Plan.

 

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