Kamloops – Starting Sunday, September 2, transit users in Kamloops will benefit from additional trips on several routes, and from the introduction of a brand-new route connecting Lansdowne Exchange with Sun Rivers.
This service expansion is possible thanks to the addition of 7,200 new service hours, and to the partnership between the Province of British Columbia, the City of Kamloops, Tk’emlúps te Secwèpemc (TteS) and BC Transit.
“We are committed to making BC Transit service more convenient, including adding new routes where possible,” said Parliamentary Secretary Bowinn Ma on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena. “Along with adding more trips on existing routes, this new connection between the Lansdowne exchange and Sun Rivers will make it even easier for transit users to move throughout Kamloops.”
The new route, 18 Mt. Paul, will travel from Lansdowne Exchange to Sun Rivers via Shuswap Drive, Sun Rivers Drive and Talasa Way. The bus will then continue on Highway 5, serving Mt. Paul Way, Athabasca Street and the Health Centre on Kamloopa Way.
The creation of this new route is based on the Community Transit Partnership Agreement (CTPA) between TteS, the City of Kamloops and BC Transit, which was signed on July 11 of this year.
“With the new transit services launch to the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc community in September and the Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 21, 2017, this Community Transit Partnership Agreement was a long time coming, but at days end it is completed and will benefit both Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc community members and the residents of Kamloops,” said kúkwpi7 Fred Seymour. “The Community Transit Partnership Agreement is a five-year agreement between Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc, the City and BC Transit. We have a responsibility and commitment to this agreement and it is another prime example of how our community-to-community forums create success stories. We know with the continued cooperation we can all come out winners, as we have so much in common. The only thing that divides us is the rivers.”
Also effective September 2, route 14 Batchelor Heights will extend to go beyond Raven Drive, travelling on Saddleback Drive, offering service to the northern part of the Batchelor Heights neighbourhood.
“This is part of a number of exciting changes to our transit service this year,” said City of Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian. “The new extension to TteS land provides a key service to this area and further connects our communities.”
Other changes include adding new trips on routes 1 Tranquille, 3 Westsyde, 4 Pacific Way, 5 Pinewview, 7 Aberdeen, 9 Gleneagles and 10 North Shore TRU Express, as well as later service on Saturday nights on routes 1 Tranquille, 7 Aberdeen and 9 Gleneagles.
“At BC Transit, we’re proud to work closely together with our regional partners and the Province of B.C.,” said Erinn Pinkerton, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of BC Transit. “It is thanks to these strong partnerships that we’re able to provide transit networks that meet the evolving needs of each community we serve.”
Click here more about the CTPA between TteS, the City of Kamloops and BC Transit.
For more information about schedules, routes and service changes in Kamloops, please visit bctransit.com/kamloops.
Media Contact:
Jonathon Dyck
Communications Manager
BC Transit
250-995-5720
media@bctransit.com
