KAMLOOPS – Taking the bus in Kamloops just got easier for anyone
with internet access or a smart phone thanks to a trip planning tool, Google
Transit.
Environment Minister and Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Hon. Terry Lake along
with Kamloops Mayor and BC Transit Board Member Peter Milobar joined BC Transit
President and CEO Manuel Achadinha to launch Google Transit at Thompson Rivers
University. TRU and its Student Union President Dustin McIntyre welcomed the
new technology that will make travelling by public transit easier than ever
before.
Minister Lake demonstrated how Google Transit can link TRU students and the
community at large to some of the busiest BC Transit destinations in Kamloops.
“Many people in Kamloops use public transportation – helping to reduce
our carbon footprint. This new technology will make travel effortless for our
community, and will increase new ridership,” said Kamloops-North Thompson
MLA, Terry Lake.
Google Transit on Google Maps is a public transportation planning tool that
combines the latest BC Transit schedule and route information with the power
of Google Maps. It is a free service that makes trip planning quick and easy
for everyone.
More than 3.6 million people rode BC Transit in Kamloops in 2011/12, which
is a four per cent increase from the previous year.
“This new tool will further enhance our transit system here in Kamloops,”
said Kamloops Mayor and BC Transit Board member Peter Milobar. “We continue
to see an increase in ridership year over year, and the addition of Google Transit
will only help that number to rise.”
“Transit customers are demanding easy to use route information,”
said BC Transit President and CEO Manuel Achadinha. “This technology gives
existing and new customers a new tool to plan their trip with easy to understand
directions and boarding times; that will make our services even more efficient
and effective.”
For more information on Google Transit in Kamloops, please consult our website
www.bctransit.com/regions/kam
and click on the Trip Planner link.
Media Contacts:
Marie Alaimo
BC Government Caucus Communications
250.387.9297
Meribeth Burton
BC Transit Corporate Spokesperson
250.995.5720
Erin Felker
Transportation Planner
City of Kamloops
250.828.3702
