The Regional District of East Kootenay and BC Transit have announced transit ridership in Elk Valley is on the rise – up 19.9 per cent over last year. In its recently published annual report, BC Transit recorded 9,440 passenger trips in 2012/13 compared to 7,876 in 2011/12.
A strong surge in the number of students relying on transit for their school commute combined with a larger demand for the Health Connections service to Cranbrook are thought to have helped drive the growth in transit customers in the Elk Valley.
“We are pleased to see a growing number of customers in the Elk Valley region are taking advantage of the transit service,” said BC Transit President and CEO Manuel Achadinha. “The increase in passenger trips is a validation of our continued efforts to make public transit efficient and effective for all.”
“The RDEK recognizes the importance of connecting residents in the Elk Valley – whether it’s to work, school, community amenities, or medical appointments. We are very pleased with this increase in ridership and hope to see this trend continue,” said RDEK Board Chair, Rob Gay.
The Province, including funding from the Interior Health Authority, contributes nearly $200,000 annually, about 65 per cent of the cost of transit services in the Elk Valley Transit System.
"Transportation can sometimes be a challenging issue for small communities," said Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett. "The uptake in this transit service shows it is playing a significant role in helping Elk Valley residents where they need to be, in an efficient and environmentally-friendly way."
For more information on routes and schedules call 1-855-417-4636 or visit www.bctransit.com/regions/elk/