A new bus route through Blewett and a later run between Castlegar and Nelson will begin next week.
BC Transit says starting Monday, November 14, the new 24 Nelson-Blewett bus will make three return trips a day and be monitored for ridership numbers for six months.
The first morning trip leaving Nelson for Blewett and final afternoon trip going from Blewett to Nelson are intended to “better serve” workers at Pacific Insight.
“The transit service into Blewett has been a long time in the making,” regional director Ramona Faust said in a news release. “I would like to thank the Blewett residents, regional district, and BC Transit for their efforts in making this service a reality.”
Faust expects the six-month trial to demonstrate the need for the service and to help refine times that work best for the route.
Being introduced the same day is a new evening trip on the 99 Nelson-Castlegar run, which will meet the connecting bus from Trail. The last trip from Nelson to Castlegar will now leave Ward and Baker at 4:55 p.m. and the last trip from Castlegar to Nelson will leave Selkirk College at 5:45 p.m.
Strong ridership and community feedback has proven demand for the expanded service, BC Transit said.
Other minor service changes can be found in the new rider’s guide or at bctransit.com.
Funding for the system is shared by the Regional District of Central Kootenay and BC Transit.
