Bus Transit
The CRD has partnered with BC Transit to provide scheduled bus service in a number of locations in the region (108 Mile, 100 Mile House, Lac la Hache, Red Bluff) and handyDart service in the Williams Lake, Quesnel and surrounding areas. These services are funded through a combination of user fees, property taxes and BC Transit contribution. Local support for these services was determined through the usual referendum process.
During the recent election campaign, I was questioned about the possibility of bus service or handyDart service for Area "L". To determine how widespread the interest is, I have committed to conducting an informal survey. If there is sufficient interest in the service, BC Transit will be requested to conduct a feasibility study. Please take a few minutes to review the attached information and provide me with your views by completing the survey below. The deadline for your response is March 31, 2012.
Bus Transit Survey
Area "L" - Cariboo Regional District
Dear Constituents
During the election campaign I was questioned by a number of residents about the potential for bus service in Area "L". To determine how widespread the interest is, I am conducting an informal survey to determine the level of interest. If there is sufficient interest then BC Transit will be contacted and requested to conduct a feasibility study. Eventually, if it appears that the service is financially viable, residents would be asked, through a referendum, if they support the proposed service.
Background information:
There are three different kinds of fully accessible Transit Service currently available in the 100 Mile area. The Community Bus provides scheduled service to major residential areas of 100 Mile House, 103 Mile and 108 Ranch. handyDART provides door-to-door service for seniors and persons with disabilities. Rural Transit provides rides to the general public whenever space is available when the handyDART bus is in the neighbourhood.
In most communities, the local BC Transit service is provided through a partnership between BC Transit, local government and a contracted transit operating company. Regional transit system service levels and budgets are approved each year by local government, who also set fares and local property taxes to pay their contribution of transit costs.
BC Transit's share of transit system funding is provided by the Provincial Government. BC Transit funds 46.69% of conventional transit systems and 66.69% of custom systems. A system that is a combination of custom and conventional service (paratransit) will have a cost sharing percentage that reflects the level of each type of service.
The Municipal share is made up of revenue from fares and local property taxes. The Municipality uses revenue collected from the transit system (fares, advertising, etc.) to reduce the local property tax share of costs. Because the proportion of total expenditures paid for by fares varies significantly from system to system, the percentage of expenditures paid from local property taxes also varies by system.
For more information, go to the BC Transit website.
If you are interested in a bus service within Area "L" please take a minute to fill out the questionnaire below: