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Public Ridership Increasing on Highway 16

Friday, 24 August 2018 15:33

An overview of the connecting communities. (Photo courtesy of the Government of British Columbia)

BC's new transit service along Highway 16 has been considered a success.

As Greyhound announced the termination of major bus routes in the north, BC's new transit service along Highway 16 is growing substantially.

Known as the Highway 16 Transportation Action Plan, 7.3 million dollars was given from provincial and federal funding to support safe transportation services for residents of First Nations communities and municipalities between the areas of Prince Rupert, Kitimat, and Prince George.

12,000 passengers took the inter-community transit service over the first year-and-a-half. 7000 Passengers have already taken the route so far this year in comparison to 5000 for the entirety of last year, showing demand is in steady increase.

Specific ridership amounts include 320 people from Burns Lake to Prince George, 320 people from Hazelton to Smithers, and 250 people from Hazelton to Terrace.

A First Nations driver education program has also been implemented, and will create more training and education programs to increase the amount of Class 4 and 5 drivers in First Nations communities along Highway 16 as the program develops.

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