qathet, BC – With funding from the Government of Canada’s Rural Transit Solutions Fund, the qathet Regional District (qRD) and Tla’amin Nation are exploring the feasibility of a rural on-demand transit solution for Electoral Areas A, B, C, D and Tla’amin Nation. This study will analyze how well the current rural paratransit service meets residents’ needs, and explore if we should supplement or replace the existing service with an on-demand transit solution.
Based on a review of on-demand transit pilots in neighbouring areas, the Regional Public Transportation Exploration Working Group, which included representation from the City of Powell River, qathet Regional District and Tla’amin Nation, identified on-demand transit as a potential solution to address transportation challenges in the rural areas of our region. To learn more about the project and to access the survey, please visit qathet.ca/transit-feasibility-study.
BC Transit currently operates three fixed paratransit routes in the rural areas of the qathet region. These are Route 12: Stillwater, Route 13: Texada Island, and Route 14: Lund. For information on travel times and stop locations, please visit the BC Transit – Powell River website. This service is funded by BC Transit, taxpayers from Electoral Areas A through D, and contributions from Tla’amin Nation.
Unlike a fixed route service where the bus comes at set times to designated stops, on-demand transit riders typically use app-based technology to schedule rides when they need them. Routes, stops and overall travel-times are determined by passenger pick-up and drop-off locations.
We want to hear from you!
We want to learn more about your travel needs, if and how you use the existing rural bus routes, understand the transportation challenges in the region, and share some possible solutions. Here’s how you can get involved:
Complete an Online Survey
The survey will be available between October 2 to 20, 2023 on our webpage at qathet.ca/transit-feasibility-study. A paper version of the survey is available upon request. Call 604-485-2260 or email croberts@qathet.ca to get your copy.
Attend an Open House
Attend any of the drop-in open houses between October 16-20, 2023. See the schedule below for more details:
- North of Town – Monday, October 16th (5-7pm) @ Northside Community Recreation Centre (9656 Larson Rd)
- Tla’amin Nation – Tuesday, October 17th (5-7pm) @ Administration Building (4779 Klahanie Rd)
- South of Town – Wednesday, October 18th (5-7pm) @ Lang Bay Community Hall (11090 Hwy 101)
- Texada Island – Thursday, October 19th (5-7pm) @ Texada Island Community Hall (4913 Gillies Bay Rd)
About the qathet Regional District:
The qathet Regional District serves the rural areas from Lund to sḵelhp (Saltery Bay), the City of Powell River, Texada, Savary and Lasqueti Island. The qRD provides some services, through contract, to Tla’amin Nation. To learn more please visit qathet.ca.
CONTACT:
Cherise Roberts, Special Projects Coordinator
#202 – 4675 Marine Avenue
Powell River, BC V8A 2L2
P: 604-485-2260 | E: croberts@qathet.ca