TERRACE–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
Contact
Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241
