Funds unveiled for area transportation

The provincial and federal governments announced $7.9 million in COVID-19 Safe Restart funding on Friday to support safe, reliable transportation services in northern B.C..

The Northern Development Initiative Trust will administer the funds, and will engage with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to develop a grant program to support the region’s transportation needs, according to a statement issued by the province.

“Northern B.C. is a vast region with many unique communities, several of which are isolated. Safe, consistent and affordable transportation is a necessity for many residents of the north, especially now as the province is reopening and travel will increase,” NDIT CEO Joel McKay said in a press release. “We applaud the province of B.C. and its recognition of the importance of northern transit service, now and into the future.”

In addition, the funding will provide sustainable funding for the BC Bus North service until March of 2025. The bus service, launched after Greyhound pulled out of northern B.C., connects Prince George to communities along Highway 16 and Highway 97.