While some local residents say they鈥檝e found the schedule of the new bus service along Hwy. 16 confusing, B.C. Transit officials say they鈥檝e only received positive feedback.
The new bus service, which began operating on June 19, connects 亚洲天堂 Lake to Prince George and 亚洲天堂 Lake to Smithers three times per week.
鈥淲hat we heard so far is excitement,鈥 said Jonathon Dyck, a spokesperson for B.C. Transit.
In route 162, from 亚洲天堂 Lake to Smithers, the bus connects 亚洲天堂 Lake and Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n twice before heading to Smithers. The bus leaves 亚洲天堂 Lake (Government Street) at 6:46 a.m. and arrives at the Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n stop at 7 a.m. The bus then returns to 亚洲天堂 Lake at 7:14 a.m. and heads back to the Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n stop at 7:40 a.m. before continuing westbound toward Smithers.
When asked if this loop is necessary, Dyck said it is intended to provide the Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n community with transportation to 亚洲天堂 Lake six days a week.
鈥淏oth the 161 and 162 leave that stop in Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n to 亚洲天堂 Lake at 7 a.m. Monday to Saturday, and it returns [to Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n] at 5:39 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 6:56 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday,鈥 he said.
鈥淭he idea behind that was getting people access to better opportunities and providing access between the two communities for work, recreation and shopping,鈥 he continued. 鈥淒uring consultation we heard that it was important to have connections between communities.鈥
Dyck said the schedule was developed based on input from local consultation in the summer of 2016.
鈥淲hen we鈥檙e introducing a new service, it can take time for people to get used to it, including the scheduling and routing,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e recognize that any time a new service begins there will be constructive feedback.鈥
鈥淲e want people to feel comfortable with the schedule, and how to access the bus, so we鈥檙e happy to work with them on that,鈥 he added.
The public is encouraged to provide feedback to B.C. Transit by calling 855-499-1119, or by contacting them online at bctransit.com/bulkley-nechako.