NORTHERN PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION SERVICE

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

In March 2021, the Province of BC, through the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) entered into the Safe Restart Funding Agreement with Northern Development Initiative Trust to administer $7.9 million to establish a fund to provide safe, reliable and affordable passenger transportation service, particularly for northern rural communities. 

Northern Development’s goal is to administer the funds beginning April 1, 2022, to extend and/or provide additional transportation services until March 31, 2025.

FOCUS 2021

In 2021, the focus is to provide dollars for transportation services that connect people to regional centres * to support labour mobility; access to education and training; maintain contact with family and friends and access to health services.

*Transportation within individual communities or between communities with a distance less than 300 kms. 

Click here to see current transportation services
in Northern B.C.

FOCUS 2022

In 2022, the focus is to provide dollars for transportation services that provide long-distance ** connections to support labour mobility; access to education and training; maintain contact with family and friends and access to health services. 

**Transportation between communities with a distance of more than 300 kms.

CONSULTATION

Northern Development staff will be visiting over 30 communities in our service region between October 4 and 15 to understand the types of regional transportation requirements that will ensure everyone has access to safe and reliable transit.

We encourage you to come and speak with us and enter for a chance to win an Apple Watch 6 GPS.

Click here to see the dates and locations when staff will be in, or close to, your community.

Based on information received, Northern Development will create a northern community shuttle grant program.

ELIGIBLE SERVICE TYPES MAY INCLUDE:

  • Community transportation service using multi-passenger vehicles
  • Transportation services that serve to minimize hitchhiking
  • Transportation services that address identified needs within communities and focus on vulnerable populations with limited safe transportation alternatives
  • Transportation information websites, mobile applications, printed material; booking systems and call centres
  • Training and education for planning and delivering community transportation services, for example, developing budgets for operating expenses; scheduling drivers; trip and route planning; and vehicle repair and maintenance scheduling
  • Development of local transportation hubs where passengers can conveniently connect between a local transportation services and long-distance services

ELIGIBLE APPLICANT TYPES TO INCLUDE:

  • Local governments, 
  • First Nations bands or community organizations, 
  • Non-profit organizations 
  • Small and medium-sized businesses

Eligible applicants do not include the Province of B.C. or any of its Crown corporations or agencies.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

An Advisory Committee has been established to help oversee the funding agreement between the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Northern Development Initiative Trust to ensure the programs delivered meet the intent and goals of the fund.

In June 2021, the Advisory Committee’s Terms of Reference were finalized, and its membership outlined as follows:

From the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure:

  • Deborah Bowman, Assistant Deputy Minister, Transportation Policy and Programs, Advisory Committee Co-Chair
  • Jodi Dong, Executive Director, Transit Branch
  • Trish Rorison, Executive Director, Programs and Corporate Initiatives
  • Ellen Slanina, Executive Director, Financial Policy, Compliance and Governance

From Northern Development:

  • Joel McKay, CEO, Advisory Committee Co-Chair
  • Ben Campbell, CFO
  • Christine Gagne, Senior Manager Partner Programs
  • Jordan Barrett, Partner Programs Coordinator
  • Kurtis Caston, Financial Analyst

From the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation:

  • Juanita Berkout, Executive Director, Economic Partnerships, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

From BC Transit:

  • Chris Fudge, Director of Government Relations

Members at Large:

  • Paulette Flamond, Executive Director, Northeast Aboriginal Business and Wellness Centre, Fort St. John
  • Vince Prince, Executive Director, Prince George Aboriginal Business Development Centre, Prince George

CONTACT US

If you’d like to discuss your project in further detail with Northern Development staff, please contact us by email, phone, or filling out the form below. Also, we encourage you to reach out to us if you think you are eligible for funding for categories that are not specified here.

*REQUIRED FIELDS

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