$32 MILLION TO EXPAND TRANSIT SERVICE Vernon gets 160 M.

News Gov. B.C.

SUMMARY OF BC TRANSIT SERVICE EXPANSIONS

KELOWNA – The Province has taken another step to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with $32 million for transit service expansions and new buses throughout B.C., Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon announced today. “Encouraging the use of local transit is a great way B.C. can reduce energy consumption and emissions,” said Falcon. “We plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020 – that’s why we invest twice as much in transit as any other province in Canada and why we’re providing this $32 million to expand transit services in B.C.’s communities.” The budget provides nearly $10 million for the expansion of services in 25 communities. Communities will also benefit from $22 million in funding from the federal Public Transit Capital Trust, which will be used for the purchase of 121 buses to expand public transit. This funding is on top of the recently announced $52.5 million to be distributed by UBCM to support local government investments in public transit infrastructure and contribute to reducing traffic congestion and pollution and increasing public transit ridership.
These dollars are also in addition to the funding the Province provides for core transit services – increased from $44.6 million to $52 million over the past five fiscal years.

Gov. B.C.
Region Expansion (full-year funding) Details

• Campbell River $91,000 Sunday and evening service with additional midday Dogwood service starting January 2008.
• Central Fraser Valley $230,000 New Abbotsford-Aldergrove service and increased handyDART service beginning this fall; service to new residential areas in Mission in January 2008.
• Chilliwack $183,000 Expanded service to Promontory residential area starting in January 2008.
• Comox Valley $48,000 Weekday evening service beginning January 2008.
• Cowichan Valley $129,000 Introduction of Sunday service in September; improved South End service and increased handyDART service starting in January.
• Dawson Creek $143,000 Service to the new multiplex starting in August.
• Kamloops $156,000 Increased Sunday and holiday service, Valleyview-Thompson River University service, and increased handyDART service – all starting this fall.
• Kelowna Region $904,000 Bus Rapid Transit from downtown Kelowna to UBC-Okanagan beginning implementation this August; increased handyDART service beginning implementation this fall.
• Nanaimo Region $169,000 Enhanced Sunday and statutory holiday service, and other service improvements.
• Prince George $120,000 Increased service to University of Northern BC starting this fall.
• Penticton $222,000 New lake-to-lake route along Main Street with 30-minute frequency starting in January.
• Powell River $125,000 Increased service frequencies, evening service and Sunday service starting in January.
• 6 paratransit systems $266,000New/expanded small town and rural service in Columbia Valley, Elk Valley, Golden, Merritt, Saltspring Island, Thompson Nicola.
• Sea-to-Sky $59,000 Squamish to Whistler commuter service (seasonal service).
• Sunshine Coast $28,000 Increased service frequency from Langdale to Sechelt (summer only).
• Vernon Region $160,000 Increased service frequency to growth areas and increased handy DART service starting in December.
• Victoria Regional Transit $693,000 Implement TravelChoices strategy, increased service frequency in high growth areas, and increased handyDART service.