WHEREAS public transportation and commercial passenger vehicles are critical components of a network for the efficient movement of people, but commercial operators of passenger directed vehicles in rural communities face unique challenges in terms of developing and sustaining economically viable operations due to inconsistent ridership demand, which can result in reduced levels of service available to the public; AND WHEREAS the integration of a service to incorporate passenger directed vehicles with traditional public transportation may create synergies and increase the viability for these operations, improving the access to and availability of passenger directed vehicles in rural communities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request that the Province of BC develop a transportation strategy to critically assess and determine solutions towards the sustainability of passenger directed vehicle operations including both public transit and taxis in rural communities.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure BC Transit provides services in over 140 communities across the Province, serving 80 percent of the population. Transit service in rural BC has been very successful, offering services to small communities which, elsewhere in Canada, would generally not have public transit. While the Ministry recognizes the importance of public transportation, local issues relating to public transit and taxis in rural communities are better addressed by local governments and service providers. As such, BC Transit has agreements in place with 58 local government partners for the delivery of transit services, cost shared between BC Transit at 46.96 percent and local government at 53.31 percent. Communities wishing to establish transit service can discuss preliminary options with BC Transit, or request a formal feasibility study. If communities have a demand for taxi or other commercial passenger transportation services, a service provider can apply to the Registrar of Passenger Transportation http:www.th.gov.bc.carptindex.htm for a license to deliver those services.