Kamloops, British Columbia –   The North Shore Transit Exchange, located on Sydney Avenue near the North Hills Shopping Centre, celebrated its Grand Opening today. Transit operations began on August 11, 2010, and after several weeks of successful use, today marks its official public unveiling.

Attending the official opening were Cathy McLeod, MP for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, Terry Lake, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson, Peter Milobar, Mayor of Kamloops, Manuel Achadinha, President of BC Transit, and Councillor Kevin Flynn, Union of BC Municipalities Executive Member.

“The Government of Canada is committed to improving public transportation and partnering on projects that make public transit more efficient and reliable,” said MP McLeod, on behalf of Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Chuck Strahl. “The opening of the North Shore Transit Exchange will provide residents with healthier, more accessible transportation options while supporting environmental sustainability.”

The construction of the exchange was a result of studies completed in 2007 which identified the need for a North Shore transit exchange. The City of Kamloops received grants of $906,664 through the Public Transit Infrastructure Program and $305,597 through the federal Gas Tax Fund. In 2008, MMM Group Ltd was hired to complete the design, construction began in March 2010 by Con-Ex Civil Contractors Ltd, and operations commenced on August 11, 2010.

“As former Mayor and member of the BC Transit Board, I know how important it is to residents to have safe and reliable transit service,” said Dr. Lake. “The city has been pro-active in identifying transit efficiencies, and maximizing the supports available through funding bodies to make the transit exchange a reality.”
 
“The new exchange supports the North Shore as an economic and social hub,” said Mayor Milobar. “This is an important step forward in promoting Kamloops as a green and eco-friendly community by encouraging transit as an alternative form of transportation.”

"This facility will support the growing needs of our customers in Kamloops, encourage greater transit use and promote sustainable travel options,” said Mr. Achadinha.

The establishment of a transit exchange near the North Hills Shopping Centre helps support the vision of the area as the core of activity on the North Shore.  The new exchange provides improved amenities for transit customers and offers an attractive focal point to the North Shore business area.  Routes 1-Tranquille, 3-Westsyde, 10-North Shore TRU Express, 13-Yellowhead and 14-Batchelor are now using the new North Shore Transit Exchange. While traffic is not permitted in the transit exchange area, all driveways to the shopping centre and Sydney Plaza are open to the public.

The Government of Canada’s Gas Tax Fund is a tripartite agreement between Canada, British Columbia and UBCM delivering infrastructure funding to local governments for capital projects that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions.   Through the Public Transit Infrastructure Program (PTIP), the Government of British Columbia is providing $52.5 million for public transit systems in BC.  Both programs are administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. 

“As communities like Kamloops expand public transit facilities to better service the public, the support of the federal and provincial governments is vital,” said Mr. Flynn.  “UBCM is very appreciative of the funding provided by both levels of government for the North Shore Transit Exchange.”

For further information on the Government of Canada’s infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.