Flooding and bus service continue to be the two conversation starters for all northern BC mayors.
The North Central Local Government Association Conference in Fort Nelson is in the books and Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall was pleased with how it all went down.
With Greyhound slashing routes next month, Hall explains what solutions could be in store for the region.
“I think what’s probably going to happen is that we’re going to see short-haul routes and maybe a private sector service will come in and do short runs from Dawson Creek to Fort Nelson, Prince George to Dawson Creek, Prince George to Vanderhoof out to Fort St. James.”
Recent initiatives between Northern Health and BC Transit has helped but more could be coming.
“As you know we have the Highway 16 public transportation that everyone has and invested in and we’re at the early stages of possibly getting more done and hopefully we’re going to have some luck with that.”
Transportation Minister Claire Trevena hosted a meeting with Hall and the rest of the mayors in Prince George earlier this year.
Hall says the most difficult part will be how to subsidize the private sector service.
Spring is far from over in the province and already several communities have had problems with major flooding – most notably Cache Creek and the Nazko area of the Cariboo where either a State of Emergency of Evacuation Order or Alert has taken place.
More locally, a number of parks like Paddlewheel, Cottonwood Island, and the Heritage River Trail all have full or partial restrictions.
Hall says the recent activity is worrisome.
“The hotter the weather brings concerns for us because of the snowpack and the quick melt. that’s very, very tough this time of year and is something will continue to watch and if we have to make certain decisions around the evacuation or whatever it might be we’ll be quick to react to it.”
He adds they have extended their assistance to communities in need.
The City opened its Emergency Operations Centre on Friday and will be ready for whatever comes their way.
“Flooding specifically for Prince George is problematic, we’ve seen it happen many times over the years and we are ready, our emergency staff and operations group have already met and we’re being as I say very vigilant about what’s going on in the rivers and we are ready to react to that at a moments notice.”
The slashed bus routes are expected to take effect June 1st.