On November 15, Northern Development began accepting applications to the new Northern Community Shuttle (NCS) grant program. This new funding program allows local and First Nations governments, non-profits and small to medium-sized businesses to introduce, improve or continue passenger transportation services.
The NCS is part of the Northern Passenger Transportation Service, a $7.9 million fund from the Province of BC that is administered by Northern Development. Of the $7.9 million, approximately $3 million will be available to applicants through the NCS. The NCS will be administered through a single intake, with applications being accepted until December 23, 2021. Funding decisions will be announced in early 2022.
A second, separate grant intake will take place after Northern Development completes additional consultation with communities and stakeholders that would benefit from long haul transportation options.
In October 2021, Northern Development staff visited 30 communities to learn about their transportation needs. This information was gathered face-to-face and complemented feedback from local government, First Nations government and passenger transportation service providers. Read about the public consultation process in this October newsletter article.
Read the Province of BC’s press release about the new program.
