B.C. transit planners, Matthew Boyd and Adriana McMullen, visited Houston on Sept. 2 at the Farmer’s Market between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to discuss the proposed transit plan and invited locals to share their input and needs by filling out a survey.
Boyd and McMullen did their best to answer all of the public’s questions.
“We’re looking at two round trips per day,” commented Matthew Boyd, Senior Transit Planner. The buses won’t be able to run every day of the week, so the surveyors are asking the public to select two of the most important days between Sunday to Saturday to provide the service.
A lot of feedback from the public said that having the bus leave on a weekday to Smithers to make medical appointments is a priority.
For those interested in travelling to Smithers from Houston, presently the proposed transit schedule is for the transit bus to leave Houston in the morning at 8:45 a.m., then depart Smithers in the afternoon at 3:05 p.m. Providing about five hours in Smithers to shop and make appointments.
The proposed transit service fare is $5.00 cash for each trip, or a sheet of 10 tickets for $45.00. Children aged five or under will be able to travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying guardian.
“There will be 20 seats. The buses are equip for wheelchair [access]. For each wheelchair you loose about four seats,” said McMullen.
In response to Houston’s need for a transit system especially this winter for grocery shopping, Boyd replied, “We’re looking at implementing a phased approach. So there’s four different segments along the corridor. We’re trying to get the service up and running as soon as possible. We’re working with the local government partners to get it off the ground and running. So as far an implementation date, we’re just very cautious in regards to when we want to implement, but certainly the answer is as soon as we can.
If you would like to share your thoughts with B.C. Transit, you can fill out a survey online at www.bctransit.com/highway16 or email: highway16@bctransit.com