Provincial funding to support BC Bus North, Northern Community Shuttle Program through 2027
The government of British Columbia will contribute funding to the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) to ensure critical transit and shuttle services serving the province’s northern communities continues.
The C$5 million (US$3.67 million) contribution will continue BC Bus North and the Northern Community Shuttle Program until 2026-27. BC Bus North was created in June 2018 following the loss of Greyhound service. NDIT manages the Northern Community Shuttle Program, which has provided funds to 16 northern B.C. communities and organizations to operate community shuttles.
“We understand how critical BC Bus North and the Northern Community Shuttle program are to meeting the needs of people in northern communities who may otherwise have limited transportation options,” said Rob Fleming, British Columbia Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Extending these northern programs will ensure people can continue to access safe, reliable and affordable travel options to connect to family and industry in larger centers.”
The province is also supporting the development of a web-based platform for travel planning, reservations and customer service, which should be ready by fall 2023. The booking system will be built with C$250,000 (US$183,400) in provincial funding and will include multiple service providers and allow people to book various travel options using one platform.
“Passenger transportation services in northern B.C. will benefit greatly from this investment by the province of B.C.,” said Joel McKay, chief executive officer, Northern Development Initiative Trust. “The C$5 million to extend the Northern Passenger Transportation Service funding program will support the operations of shuttle buses between rural and remote communities, while also benefiting the BC Bus North service that travels between regional centers. This additional funding will support mobility for those who live and work in B.C.’s North, allowing them to visit family and friends and access services using reliable transportation.”
NDIT, along with the Island Coastal Economic Trust and the Economic Trust of the southern Interior, will receive a C$2.5 million (US$1.83 million) to conduct regional engagement on and analysis of rural, regional intercity transportation. The results of this analysis, coupled with engagement from other regions in the coming months, will help inform the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on next steps for developing options on transportation solutions in rural communities.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
