Increased shuttle service to Whitewater Ski Resort and expanded medical bus service in the Arrow and Slocan Lakes regions are among the 10 new transportation projects in the West Kootenay being funded by the provincial government.
Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson and Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy announced in a joint statement Wednesday that $307,424 would be spent on local transportation.
The money comes via the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior, which is funding $650,000 to 21 organizations working on transportation projects.
“Having more options for getting around the region – whether for work, school, daily errands, recreation or medical appointments – will benefit so many people in the Kootenays,” said Anderson. “I’m glad we are able to help expand existing services and explore new ones with this funding.”
The West Kootenay funding recipients are:
• Whitewater Ski Resort: Shuttle expansion ($65,000)
• Arrow and Slocan Lake Community Services: Medical bus expansion ($47,974)
• Next Gen Transit: Bus operator class two driver training ($25,200)
• Kootenay Carshare Cooperative: Air carshare communication enhancement project ($25,000)
• Kootenay Employment Service Society: Feasibility study for affordable housing community shared transportation in the Creston Valley ($25,000)
• Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce: West Kootenay regional shuttle feasibility study ($25,000)
• Community Futures Central Kootenay: Rural ride-hailing feasibility study ($25,000)
• Regional District of Central Kootenay: Establish desired outcomes and decision-making process to guide the direction of West Kootenay Transit ($25,000)
• Community Energy Association: Lower Kootenay Band electric health shuttle study ($25,000)
• The Castlegar and District Community Services Society: Volunteer driver services in the West Kootenay Boundary region ($19,250)
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