Transit System: Mount Waddington
Mount Waddington – The Mount Waddington Transit System is turning 10 years old this year, and the Regional District of Mount Waddington (RDMW) and BC Transit are planning a series of celebrations to mark the occasion.
“Congratulations to Mount Waddington Transit on 10 years of providing accessible public transit services,” said Claire Trevena, MLA for North Island and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “I am pleased to see how the service has met the commuting and transportation needs of all North Island communities.”
Transit service in Mount Waddington began on July 2, 2008. Since then, transit in the region has grown from a small operation funded through the Vancouver Island Health Authority, to a full system offering four regional routes, two local routes, a seasonal ski bus, and handyDART service. Ridership has more than doubled in the last ten years, going from just under 13,000 rides in 2008, to over 27,000 rides in 2017.
“The Mount Waddington Transit system was made possible by community partnerships with Alert Bay, Electoral Areas A, C and D, Namgis First Nation, Kwakiutl First Nation, Port Hardy, Port McNeill and the Quatsino First Nation, in conjunction with Island Health, BC Transit, the Mount Waddington Health Network and service provider North Island Community Services Society,” said RDMW Chair Andrew Hory. “We look forward to continuing to strengthen these partnerships and find new ways to improve transit services to North Island residents.”
“Building, operating and growing a successful transit system is the result of cooperation and teamwork between BC Transit and our local government partners,” said Erinn Pinkerton, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of BC Transit. “We’re honoured to join the Regional District of Mount Waddington in reaching this milestone, and congratulate the transit system on a decade of connecting people and communities on northern Vancouver Island.”
As part of the 10th anniversary celebrations, Mount Waddington buses will participate in several summer festivals and parades throughout the region, including the popular Filomi Days in Port Hardy, Orca Fest in Port McNeil and more.
Look for the BC Transit bus at these events on the following dates:
- Saturday, July 21 – Port Hardy Filomi Days festival and parade
- Saturday, August 18 – Port McNeil Orca Fest festival and parade
The parade bus will offer limited free service for Filomi Days (Saturday, July 21, only) and Orca Fest (Saturday, August 18, only).
The RDMW’s new Volunteer Transit Network vehicle will also make appearances at the following events:
- Saturday, August 4 – Alert Bay 360 Kayak Race
- Saturday, August 11 – Sointula Salmon Fest Days festival and parade
For more information on routes, fares and schedules in Mount Waddington, please visit bctransit.com/mount-waddington.
Media Contacts
Jonathon Dyck
BC Transit
Communications Manager
250-995-5720
media@bctransit.com
