The Trust hits the road to learn about northern transportation needs

Northern Development staff travelled more than 4,000 kilometres in the first two weeks of October to talk with people in 30 communities about their transportation needs. The information gathered from these in-person sessions, along with survey responses from local government, First Nations government and passenger transportation service providers, will influence the development of a northern community shuttle grant program.

Funding for this new, three-year, transportation grant program is from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) and will be administered by the Trust. The funding program, known as the Northern Passenger Transportation Service, will provide funding for safe, reliable and affordable passenger transportation services for rural and remote communities in central and northern B.C.

The focus for these consultation sessions was to learn about passenger transportation needs within communities or between communities less than 300 kilometres apart. Public transportation may be used to attend medical appointments, access services, shopping, social events, education or employment. In 2022, more consultation and research will be done to determine needs for travelling distances of 300 kilometres or greater.

Learn more about the Northern Passenger Transportation Service by visiting the funding program page.