The Mayor of Castlegar is bullish on expected changes to regional transit, and he's not alone.Lawrence Chernoff heads a regional committee charged with (in concert with BC Transit) working toward a truly regional transit system, something to benefit everyone.With the way things have operated in the past, what lies ahead in the not-too-distant future is exciting to say the least.
What the politicians, administrators, staff and BC Transit personnel have in mind is the kind of a system folks will be pleased with, whether they live in Trail or Kaslo.Lawrence Chernoff said Friday that a revamped schedule has long been craved, but only lately has the collective will and spirit of co-operation been sufficient for real results to be attainable."It's really, one system over here... another system over here... all these hodgepodge things along the line,"said the Castlegar mayor.
"We wanted to know how to make it better, and the only way is a coordinated effort."If you make it convenient, people will use the transit."Chernoff and the others in the group are hopeful the curtain may rise on a new layout, new schedules, new routes and new fare structure by the time fall rolls around.
As far as a transit system overhaul is concerned, again, it's not like the topic just came up lately."I think we've been talking about it for two years," said BC Transit Corporate Spokesperson Maribeth Burton on June 8. "
So I think it's just sort of the natural maturing of the transit system, making sure there's a better local connectivity. All these seven regions and beyond, the nine operating systems can work together. It's going to truly benefit the region."As a case in point, Burton used the example of Selkirk College students being able to stay in their own communities and pay one regional fare and one local fare, "so there's more clarity in the fare structure."
In line for kudos from many sources, including Burton and Chernoff, is a man who named Kevin Schubert who has guided and driven the project with innovative ideas and unflagging optimism and persistence. Schubert, who works for BC Transit, was the recipient of an award for his work according to Burton.
The corporate spokesperson was upbeat in describing what has been going on with this project."At BC Transit we're looking for the greater good and the leadership in the local communities is tremendous. We've got the right people on the committee, we've got the right attitudes. The West Kootenay is on side."