Improvement is on the horizon in terms of transit links between the cities of Castlegar, Nelson and Trail.
With some adjustment there will soon be better coordination of routes and schedules, offering greater efficiency and convenience for transit users.One decision was made at last week's Regional District of Central Kootenay board meeting, and that is to add a later run from Castlegar to Nelson, one that will link up with a bus from Trail.
Another run involving the Ooteschenia area was pondered at the meeting, though decisions on it was deferred to a public meeting which is set for Castlegar City Hall at 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 9.
One option would be for the relatively under-used Ooteschenia run to be discontinued. "The proposal was to terminate that service and re-allocate the funding for difference service to the mills," said the RD's Chief Administrative Officer Jim Gustafson.
The RDCK Board agreed to the addition of a fourth departure (Nelson bound) from Castlegar's Selkirk College campus. One that will coincide with a bus heading to Trail.
Randy Matheson, RDCK administrative assistant, said "This last run that we're thinking of putting in will probably leave Nelson at around 4:50. It'll get to the college (in Castlegar) at about 5:37, which is the same time as the Trail bus gets there."
A final Nelson run would follow."So there is that final connecting," said Matheson. "That's what this whole thing will do.Matheson said the arrangements are now being made and the enhanced schedule is hoped to be in effect by November.