B.C. Transportation Minister Claire Trevena met with BC Transit during its annual transit meeting in Kamloops on Tuesday (Image Credit: CFJC Today)
PUBLIC TRANSIT

Transportation Minister working to help Kamloops as it bolsters public transit

Jun 4, 2019 | 4:48 PM

KAMLOOPS — B.C.’s Transportation Minister say it’s clear there is a growing demand for public transportation, not only in Kamloops but across the province.

Claire Trevena made a stop in Kamloops on Tuesday morning for BC Transit’s annual meeting to discuss public transportation in the city.

“We’re talking about new bus routes that are coming into service in Kamloops, working with Indigenous communities to make sure that everybody’s included when you’re talking about public transit, that it is truly public transit,” said Trevena.

Kamloops Transit service started on the Tk’emlups reserve last fall. In addition, city council, as part of the supplemental budget for 2019, approved 3,000 more transit hours this fall. It’s expected to cost taxpayers another $112,000.

Trevena says the B.C. government is working to ensure municipalities don’t have to shoulder all the costs.

“The province works with municipalities through BC Transit to ensure they are getting what they need,” said Trevena. “Municipalities look at funding, BC Transit looks at funding. We have various funding formulas to ensure we can get the service there that people need.”