Arrowhead Transit begins trial bus service between Long Plain and Portage la Prairie
The free trial runs from Oct. 13-17, with the first passenger using the bus to commute to work in Portage la Prairie.
A new transit service owned by Long Plain First Nation has begun a trial run of bus routes connecting the community to Portage la Prairie.
Long Plain Chief David Meeches said the first rider on Tuesday, Oct. 13, took the bus from Long Plain to work in Portage, marking a successful start.
“The passenger we had on Long Plain this morning is an employee of Portage la Prairie, so there was an immediate benefit that we noticed, and we're hoping to expand that. But again, it's trial and error,” said Meeches.
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Rides are free while the bus routes are being tested from Oct. 13-17.
“We’re trying to get a sense of the battery life in terms of the routes,” said Meeches. “I think once people get the hang of it and word gets out, I think it’ll take off.”
A temporary schedule has pickups from the Long Plain Rez Plex and the LPFN Gas Bar, travelling to Portage with stops at Walmart, Canad Inns, Keeshkeemaquah, including the Microtel and Homestead Co-op, and back.
Meeches highlighted that Arrowhead Transit is now hiring bus drivers.
He noted interested applicants do not need to be Long Plain First Nation members to apply. He said there is currently one bus driver from Long Plain, but with two other buses in the fleet, more drivers are needed.
The Arrowhead Transit project, a partnership between Long Plain First Nation and the City of Portage la Prairie, was officially announced on Sept. 17.
The project is funded by Long Plain First Nation and the Government of Canada's Rural Transit Solutions Fund. The buses include signage done by local business Pro Image Signs.
Routes will be consistently tested until a future public launch date, when bus fees and official routes will be announced.
The transit service in Long Plain and Portage la Prairie is taking shape, with potential routes now being tested between the two communities.
Announced in September, Arrowhead Transit is partnering with the City of Portage la Prairie to provide bus service to residents.
New route trial service dates are posted online.
Meeches said the service is now hiring for bus drivers.
He said that so far there is one bus driver who is from Long Plain, but with two other buses in the fleet, more drivers are needed.
The transit service was officially announced on September 17.
The buses include signage done by local business Pro Image Signs.
The Arrowhead Transit project is funded by Long Plain First Nation and the Government of Canada's Rural Transit Solutions Fund.
Routes will be consistently tested until a future public launch date, with bus fees and official routes announced.
With files from Penticton Herald and The Spec