WHEREAS many rural, resource-based communities do not have public transit or taxi service; AND WHEREAS the absence of local and intercommunity public transportation causes significant disadvantage to rural residents: Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia provide adequate funding to support local and intercommunity transportation in rural communities.
Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure The Province is willing to partner with communities to provide local transportation through BC Transit, but local governments must also be prepared to commit their share of transit funding. Although the transit feasibility study done in 2010 recommended alternative transportation modes for the community, such as volunteer driver and car share programs, BC Transit would be pleased to discuss potential transit options with Vanderhoof staff. Work to date on inter-community transportation has included discussions with over 80 community and First Nations leaders representing 13 municipalities and districts and 13 First Nations communities along Highway 16 to discuss rural transportation challenges. The meetings focused on finding practical ways to connect residents with services and amenities in major centres, such as getting to medical appointments, doing grocery shopping or simply visiting family and friends. Ministry staff will continue to work with community partners to identify practical, affordable and sustainable transportation solutions. The Omineca Beetle Action Coalition is facilitating discussions between adjacent communities to identify options to address intra-regional needs. OBAC was represented at the transportation symposium co-hosted by the First Nations Health Authority and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on November 24, 2015. The recommendations and feedback from over 90 participants actively engaged in the symposium discussions were used to develop the foundation of the 3 million Action Plan for the Highway 16 corridor, which includes up to 750,000 over three years for community transportation conditional grants. This funding will be available to eligible First Nations, local governments and non-profit organizations wishing to establish or expand community-based transportation services.