RDCK rolls out new buses for Slocan Valley routes
By Nelson Daily Staff
Say goodbye to those old, rickety International Buses and hello to three brand new models as the Regional District of Central Kootenay and BC Transit unveiled three mid-sized buses serving transit users in the Slocan Valley.
“The new buses are part of BC Transit’s fleet replacement strategy,” said Randy Matheson, research analyst for the Regional District of Central Kootenay.
The older International buses have been the mainstay service, operated by Arrow & Slocan Lakes Community Services.
The Society was originally formed to deliver homemaker services to the Nakusp area, and since then has grown to become a multi-program agency providing dispatching services for many bus routes in Central Kootenay and Creston Valley Transit. These areas include Nakusp, Edgewood, New Denver, Silverton, Slocan, Castlegar, Nelson, Salmo, Creston, Kaslo, and Argenta.
“The RDCK is delighted to offer our valley riders these new vehicles, which offer comfort and reliability,” Matheson said.
“One of the previous vehicles had over 1 million kilometres on the odometer so it was time to upgrade our fleet,” said Martin Gould, transit coordinator for Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services, the company that operates the service in the valley.
Gould was a transit driver before being promoted to coordinate the Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Service fleet.
The buses will also be used on other routes within the RDCK’s service area, as required.
The Arrow & Slocan Lakes Community Service, along with Nelson Transit and Trail Transit, form the West Kootenay Transit under the umbrella of BC Transit.
