September 8, 2009
Transit Expansion, U-Pass come to Prince George
 
PRINCE GEORGE - A major expansion of transit service in the City of Prince
George was inaugurated today, with the addition of 3500 annual service
hours and the introduction of the U-PASS for College of New Caledonia
students.

"This expansion of transit service in Prince George will
benefit our whole community," said Transportation and Infrastructure
Minister Shirley Bond.  "It will be even easier and more convenient to
leave your car at home, get on the bus and go where you need to on a
quicker, more reliable and efficient transit service."
 
"The U-PASS will be of significant benefit to students at
the College of New Caledonia," said Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell. 
"The students' overwhelming support in voting to join the U-PASS Program
will help to promote healthy lifestyles and environmental sustainability."
 
Transit ridership in Prince George has risen 23 per cent since the
introduction of the Provincial Transit Plan in January, 2008. Included
in the more than 3500 additional service hours announced today in Prince
George are the following improvements:
 
* Service for the College of New Caledonia will nearly double
* #46 Queensway route will increase in frequency during peak hours
* #47 Reserve Queensway route will provide 18 trips daily, up from six; and
to provide a more direct route, both #46 and #47 routes will no longer
travel along Lansdowne or service the casino, reducing total travel
time by four minutes on the #46 route and 13 minutes on the #47 route
* #5 Victoria/5th and #55 5th/Victoria routes will increase in frequency
during peak hours, and will continue to provide service along Lansdowne
* #88 Westgate will provide scheduled service to the Bon Voyage Plaza
 
"Expanded service supports the growing demands of our customers in
Prince George," said BC Transit CEO and President Manuel Achadinha.  "It
will also meet the transit needs of the many students at the College of
New Caledonia."
     
"Everyone in the community benefits from these improvements," said
Prince George Mayor Dan Rogers.  "An excellent transit system is essential
to the growth and prosperity of Prince George."
     
The Province's operating grant to BC Transit has increased 35 per
cent since the Provincial Transit Plan was announced and will increase
another 35 per cent over the next three years, providing increased options
for transit services throughout B.C.
 
The expansion of transit service in Prince George will help British
Columbia achieve the goals of the Provincial Transit Plan, which include
increasing transit ridership and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
       

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