New transit services will start running on Nov. 20, 2017, connecting the northern communities of Terrace with the Hazelton area, as part of the B.C. government’s Highway 16 Transportation Action Plan.

When this begins, the inter-community transit services will be available from Terrace to Prince George.

“These buses will provide a safe, efficient and affordable way to travel between communities as part of our broader strategy of the Highway 16 Transportation Action Plan. This is especially important for women and teenaged girls who are travelling and are in need of a safe link between neighbouring communities,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena. “This transit service will connect people who are traveling between Terrace, the Hazeltons and Kispiox, for visiting family and friends, appointments and activities.”

“This transit service on a portion of Highway 16 should have been in place years ago,” said Doug Donaldson, MLA for Stikine. “For the people of the Stikine, this is an extremely important service, as it’s all about safety, affordability and peace of mind. This transit service will help northern communities and families right now and into the future.”

The Regional District of Kitimat Stikine met on Oct. 20 and approved changes to the existing Hazeltons Regional Transit system, which will enable BC Transit to introduce new service between Terrace and the Hazeltons, as well as an additional day of service between Kispiox and Smithers.

The buses will run three days per week, linking the communities of Kispiox and Gitsegukla (about 41 kilometres apart) and Gitwangak and Terrace (about 100 kilometres apart). On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays there will be one round-trip. BC Transit will start advertising the schedule in early November.

“The introduction of this important new transit service would not have been possible without the support and hard work of all our local government partners,” said Manuel Achadinha, BC Transit president and chief executive officer. “The new route and expanded service along the Highway 16 corridor will better connect people and communities.”

“The regional district is pleased to be part of this project,” said Philip Germuth, chair, Regional District of Kitimat Stikine. “It provides safe, reliable and affordable transportation options that will link our smaller and larger communities to each other.”

This is the fourth inter-community transit service to start up for Highway 16 this year, following transit services that have already started for Smithers, Burns Lake and Prince George (two routes), as well as Smithers to Moricetown (one route).

The British Columbia government, through the five-point $6.4-million Highway 16 Transportation Action Plan, has committed to five years of transit funding. The cost of the buses is being fully covered, and the B.C. government is funding two-thirds of the operating costs. Local governments and First Nations partners are working together to share funding for their one-third share of the operating costs.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Highway 16 Transportation Action Plan, go to: www.gov.bc.ca/highway16actionplan