More public transit still needed on Highway of Tears, community members say
SMITHERS, B.C. — On a recent crisp fall morning, a compact white shuttle bus rolled to a stop just off the Yellowhead Highway. Four people hastily exited and began to walk briskly toward their destinations.
After all, it was 9:38 a.m., giving them just over five hours in Smithers before the bus departed again at 3 p.m.
One of the passengers was Joe Scheck, 50, who catches the bus from Houston three times a week to do yard work in Smithers. His boss would like him to work full time, but the bus only runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“If I could, I would do it five times a week,” said Scheck, standing next to his rusty Jeep bicycle, his only other form of transportation.