A new pilot project is being launched to replace Greyhound services in the north.
The Ministry of Transportation along with BC Transit announced BC Bus North, which will begin operations June 4th, and will have one-way fares starting between $35 or $45.
For anyone who wants to purchase a ticket they will need to pre-book and pay with a credit card.
Claire Trevena, Minster of Transportation, says this should only happen for the fist bit of this project.
“It’s something BC transit is working on. It takes a while to get the reservation system in place. We are very conscious of that and are looking at alternatives in making sure people without credit cards, and we know there are many, that they are able to get a ticket.”
BC Bus North’s service will include two round-trips per week, between Prince Rupert and Prince George, Prince George and Valemount, and Prince George to Dawson Creek/Fort St. John. Additionally, BC Bus North will offer one round-trip per week from Fort Nelson to Dawson Creek/Fort St. John.
This is a 12 month project to gather information on where services are needed the most, added Trevena.
“It is one-year and I’ve been taking to community leaders over the last few months and saying we really need to sit down and work on solutions that are going to work for communities. This will give us the opportunity to collect data, see how many people are using the bus and what routes are the most popular.”
The estimated cost of the service is $2 million and will be offset by the fare revenue collected by the bus.
Greyhound will discontinue services in the north June 1st.
A full list of routes can be found here.
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