GABRIOLA ISLAND – New Democrat MLA Doug Routley says that Gabriola Community Bus Services will get a new home, helping the community recover more quickly from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic with help from new funding for local infrastructure projects.

“The Gabriola Community Bus provides a vital service to islanders, getting people to work, school and appointments while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “By funding this important piece of transportation infrastructure we are providing stability to the organization and the people that rely on this service, ensuring the community is supported during the pandemic and into the future.”

The Gabriola Community Bus Foundation is receiving $187,847 in order to update the 1970 fire hall to house the community bus, Gabriola’s Environmentally Responsible Trans-Isle Express (GERTIE). The organization had to adjust its financial structure due to the pandemic, this investment will help alleviate some of those challenges by providing funding for a long-term storage solution.

This funding is coming through B.C.’s CERIP (Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program) which is providing $100 million in one-time infrastructure grants for shovel-worthy projects across B.C. These projects will improve community economic resilience, develop tourism infrastructure, support unique heritage infrastructure, and support economic recovery for rural communities.

CERIP’s funding is distributed through different provincial ministries, including Municipal Affairs; Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport; and Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.

This funding is part of BC’s $10 billion COVID-19 response to support people, businesses, communities, and critical services, and build a strong economic recovery that works for everyone.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/23840