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PRINCE GEORGE – The Province of British Columbia is providing $20.5
million in additional funding to BC Transit this fiscal year as part of its
plan to improve public transit in communities throughout the province,
Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon and BC Transit president Manuel Achadinha
announced today.
“We’re committed to getting people out of their cars and
trucks and onto public transit in regions throughout British Columbia,” Falcon
said. “More frequent transit service is key to increasing ridership and is a
significant part of our Provincial Transit Plan.”
Of the provincial funding announced today, $9.1 million
is earmarked for a 10 per cent increase in BC Transit’s bus services, while
$11.4 million will help pay for 48 new buses for 26 transit systems.
“This
funding will support BC Transit and its local government partners in delivering
more service to existing customers and will also provide the opportunity to
attract new customers,” said Achadinha. “Residents and businesses are looking
for different ways to be part of the climate change solution. BC Transit is
part of that solution.”
One
of the transit systems benefiting from the increased funding will be in Prince
George. BC Transit and Prince George city staff are currently developing plans
for a six per cent increase in service to various areas throughout the city,
including the route to the University of Northern B.C. Two additional buses
will be added to the fleet. Total cost of the service increase is $1,118,400.
The Province of B.C. is providing $555,400 to support the improved service,
including $123,000 for operating costs and $432,400 to purchase the buses.
Prince George is contributing $141,000 to operating costs and $487,600 to the
purchase of the buses. Undergraduate students recently voted to use a universal
bus pass, or U-Pass, which will cost each student $48 a term for unlimited
travel on Prince George’s transit system.
“Increasing transit
choices in Prince George complements other transportation investments here,
such as the Cariboo Connector and the improvements to the Simon Fraser Bridge,”
said Pat Bell, MLA for Prince George North. “An excellent transportation system
is the backbone of a strong economy here in the North.”
“I have heard from
numerous students that bus service to UNBC should be more frequent. An increase
in frequency will undoubtedly be welcome news,” said Shirley Bond, MLA for
Prince George-Mount Robson. “By reducing the number of vehicles travelling to
UNBC, this will also contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions.”
“I’ve spoken with students attending UNBC and they’ve expressed a desire
for improved transit,” said John Rustad, MLA for Prince George-Omineca.
“Students are a valued part of our community and better transit service to UNBC
shows them we value their education and their contributions to our region.”
MLAs will be announcing further service improvements in
other communities around B.C. over the coming months.
The provincial funding announced today is part of the
funding from the Provincial Transit Plan, which aims to double transit
ridership provincewide by 2020 by increasing choices for travellers. The
$14-billion plan also focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars by
4.7 millions tonnes cumulatively by 2020.
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Contact: |
Tamara
Little Communications
Director Ministry
of Transportation 250
387-7787 250
889-1825 |
Ron Drolet Communications BC Transit 250 995-5610 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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