Transportation

Vaccine policies, higher than expected retirements and difficulty recruiting internationally because of the pandemic have all contributed to BC Ferries’ staffing challenges.

May 1 will mark the last day B.C. drivers will be required to display a licence plate decal to show they have valid insurance.

The decision was made in response to the latest provincial public health orders which resulted in New Year’s Eve events being cancelled.

The provincial government estimated around 370,000 children throughout B.C. will be eligible to ride for free.

Children 12 and younger will be able to ride any BC Transit or TransLink service for free, starting Sept. 1.

The RDN said walking and cycling are common recreational activities in French Creek, but few use the area as a connection route between Qualicum Beach and Parksville for commuting or other purposes, due to a lack of sidewalks, lack of wide shoulders on the roads and limited trail networks.

The RDN said it is looking for feedback on how to improve bus routes, schedules, service to new areas, connections, accessibility, design of the service and customer amenities at bus stops.

Seven Vancouver Island airports will receive provincial money, including Nanaimo Airport ($720,000), Comox Valley Airport ($360,000) and Alberni Valley Regional Airport ($180,000).

The shelters will improve the quality and safety of bus travel, thanks to weather-specific upgrades and better lighting and seating, the province said.

“You need to know what the services being provided are — what the gaps are, if you’re going to lobby the province and the federal government,” said Kim Fowler, RDN manager for long range planning.