The Rural Transportation Pilot Project, also known as the “County Connector”, will officially be operational starting December 5, 2018.
The County of Grande Prairie Council, City of Grande Prairie Council and Town of Sexsmith officially completed approvals for entering into agreements with each other at the County of Grande Prairie Council meeting on Monday, October 29.
Alberta Transportation has provided $640,000 in operational funding, over two years, through the Rural Transportation Pilot Program, plus $276,667 in GreenTrip funding to help cover the costs to purchase a bus for the system. The County has provided an additional $138,333 to purchase one of the transit buses being used for the program. The City of Grande Prairie will be operating the service for the County over the duration of the pilot program.
“Our government’s investment will help rural Albertans get to work, visit family and friends or make it to medical appointments. This partnership, undertaken by the County of Grande Prairie, the City of Grande Prairie and the Town of Sexsmith for the first phase, shows what can be accomplished when communities work together. This new pilot program is a big step forward for the residents of this area and will also help grow the local economy.” – Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation
“The County of Grande Prairie is proud of the collaboration between our Phase One partners. Our municipality has been spearheading this initiative for many years for residents; so, we are looking forward to seeing this project move forward. We thank all the staff that have spent an enormous amount of time bringing this project to fruition.” – Leanne Beaupre, County of Grande Prairie Reeve
“The City of Grande Prairie is proud to be participating in this collaboration to better serve the residents of our growing region. The transit pilot is intended to enable people across the area to have better access to educational, employment, social and recreational opportunities, no matter which municipality they live in. This has the potential to be a model of how a variety of municipal services should work in the future.” – Bill Given, City of Grande Prairie Mayor
“The Town of Sexsmith is beyond excited about this new opportunity that will be offered to community members throughout our region. The system will minimize transportation barriers in the participating communities by providing an affordable and safe travel option for our residents. Thank you to all neighboring municipalities and their administration for working together on this new, great venture.” – Clint Froehlick, Town of Sexsmith Acting Mayor
Phase One of the County Connector will provide public bus service over the next two years in the Hamlet of Clairmont and Town of Sexsmith to the City of Grande Prairie. Phase Two of the project will extend the service to the towns of Beaverlodge and Wembley and the Village of Hythe, to the City of Grande Prairie, which will roll out in early 2019.
The transit system will run Monday to Friday excluding statutory holidays with operations beginning at 6:40 a.m. in the City of Grande Prairie and ending at 7:25 p.m. in the City of Grande Prairie. Bus fares will be $5 each way, and free for children under age 11. For more details on fare purchasing visit www.countygp.ab.ca.
The Rural Transportation Pilot Program will support the needs of our growing area by providing public transportation to access essential services, employment and education, and social and recreational opportunities. In addition, the service will help decrease traffic on busy roads and reduce environmental footprint throughout the County. The Rural Transportation Pilot Program will also enhance local economic development opportunities and make local communities more accessible and connected.
The public is encouraged to visit the County’s website at www.countygp.ca/connector for further details on the Rural Transportation Pilot Program.
Article provided by the County of Grande Prairie.
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