The Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce (CDCOC) is conducting a study to explore if a West Kootenay inter-community, airport, hospitality and entertainment shuttle service would be a feasible option for the region.
The study is being done in collaboration with regional economic development partnerships and stakeholders and financed by a $25,000 grant from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior with support from the B.C. government.
A key component of the study is gathering input from area residents through an online survey found at surveymonkey.com/r/38R86ZH. The survey is open through Aug. 11 and takes less than five minutes to complete. Personal data will not be collected and all responses will be combined and analyzed collectively.
CDCOC says it is not the intent of the study to replace or compete with existing transportation options. It also will not assess the need for general public transportation or transportation to schools or hospitals. Rather, it will explore if there is a need for a new specific service that would provide transportation within and between communities for trips to and from airports, hotels, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.
"Imagine easy and consistent transportation to and from airports, and stress-free trips to your favourite hotels, restaurants, bars, and entertainment spots," says the CDCOC's promotional materials for the survey.
CDCOC executive director Tammy Verigin-Burk says discussions around the need for shuttles within cities or between cities, airport shuttles, hospitality shuttles and Sunday shuttles have been taking place for years.
She says that in the 11 years she has been leading the CDCOC, transportation shuttles have been one of the top three topics that are brought to her consistently.
Once complete, the study's findings will be used to determine if further steps can be taken on the project and shared with potential service providers.
