“These buses are providing an important and affordable service to people in B.C.’s northern communities.”
That’s from Transportation Minister Claire Trevena on the two-year anniversary of the Highway 16 Action Plan implemented by the provincial government, which has now seen over 18,000 people utilize the B.C. Transit service.
This includes 5,000 passengers in the first year, and nearly tripling in the second.
Priority routes highlighted and completed within the $7.3 million plan are the following:
- Prince George to Burns Lake = 390 people per month
- Burns Lake to Smithers = 160 people per month
- Smithers to Moricetown = 115 people per month
- Smithers to the Hazeltons = 285 people per month
- The Hazeltons to Terrace = 170 people per month
While getting residents back home from town to town has been a big factor in this project, the safety women and young teenage girls, in particular, has stood above all else.
“Our Transportation Action Plan is making a critical difference to women and other vulnerable people. People in these communities along the Highway 16 corridor asked for safe, affordable travel options, and this service is answering their needs,” explains Gender Equity Parliamentary Secretary Mitzi Dean.
The plan also outlines significant additions to the Highway of Tears, such as 15 all-weather bus shelters, 11 webcams at key locations, and a First Nations driver education program with over 200 students to date.
