BC Transit has confirmed the expansion of Pemberton commuter bus to Whistler for the 2024-25 season.
Senior media relations and public affairs advisor Jamie Weiss confirmed that the Village of Pemberton has been approved for adding one bus and 1500 service hours to provide additional round trips on Pemberton Commuter. Weiss said BC Transit is working with the Village of Pemberton to finalize service design and implementation details, and more information will be released in the coming months.
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“BC Transit and our local government partners work hard to match service with demand in our communities. Expanding or adding new service to meet increasing demand is crucial to maintaining safety and reliability and supporting growing communities,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Village of Pemberton has started work on a regional transportation hub. In 2022, Pemberton secured $1,856,721 in funding through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Program.
The transportation hub will be located at Lot 13 on Pemberton Portage Road, east of Signal Hill Elementary School, and will be available to commuters seven days a week, year-round. The site is being cleared for the project, and an RFP is expected soon. The facility will also include a 50-car parking lot, washrooms and changeroom facilities, electric vehicle charging stations, and covered bike storage.
Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman said the central transportation hub will improve access to local and regional transit and rideshares for the Pemberton community.
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“Users will be able to cycle, walk, or drive to the Park and Ride and have access to various transportation options all in one place,” he said. “It’s important that this facility has functions beyond just a parking lot. We have included amenities such as washroom and changeroom for those commuting via bike or foot to the hub to catch transit to Whistler and beyond.”
Richman said the project also supports Village’s Community Climate Action Plan goals by providing more accessible transportation and transit, reducing reliance on passenger vehicles. “Passenger vehicles are Pemberton’s largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions so it’s exciting to be able to provide a facility that will enable community members to move beyond the car,” Richman said.
“I’m pleased that this project will not only deliver a fantastic amenity to the community but also help us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.”