Prince George Transit expecting revenue loss of over $800,000

The Prince George transit system continues to be hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a presentation to Council last night (Monday), it was learned that the local transit system is anticipating a revenue loss of about $860,000.

According to the report, the loss is partially due to decreased student ridership, the period of rear door boarding with no fare collection from mid-March to June 1st, and overall diminished confidence in confined public spaces, including transit.

Mask wearing became mandatory, however, only 64 percent of riders are wearing masks on board as of October.

As a result of fewer students physically on-site at UNBC and CNC for the fall semester, services were also adjusted to match the demand.

The 15 UNBC/Downtown operates at a reduced frequency than it usually would while the university is in full session.

The 17 UNBC and 18 Spruceland are not operating.

Resources that would normally work during peak hours were reinvested into flex hours, with one or two buses on standby during times where the highest ridership has been recorded.

“These buses can be deployed at a moments’ notice and are usually staged at either Pine Centre Exchange or Spruceland Exchange,” reads the report from Adam Homes, Director of Infrastructure Services.

“In September and October, a bus was dispatched on ten different occasions, typically during busy afternoons on the 88 and 89 routes.”

The flex bus option also allows staff to make sure proper physical distancing can take place on the busiest trips.

Overall ridership remained stagnant through the summer at roughly half of what it was in 2019.

The Prince George transit system is operating at approximately 45 percent of normal ridership, at roughly 3100 passengers per week.

This is on trend with the BC average, which remains at 43 percent of normal.

There was also a renewed commitment to expand the system, but on a delayed schedule because of the pandemic.