The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has agreed to apply for $15,000 in Age Friendly Communities funding to support the development of a regional online booking platform for rural transportation services.
The application request was brought forward Thursday for a proposed regional online booking platform designed to coordinate rural transportation services across the RDCK, including volunteer driver programs and community-run medical shuttles.
The system is intended to help residents book rides through a centralized digital platform while allowing multiple community service organizations across the region to manage and deliver transportation locally.
The Castlegar Community Services Society was identified as the administrative lead for the project, prompting questions from some directors about whether the project would deliver equal benefits across all rural areas.
“This is a grant that we’re applying for to do some work and provide a regional online booking platform to do with rural mobility based out of Castlegar, but through our staff,” said Area C director Kelly Vandeberghe.
“That’s the part that I struggle with. It’s not really specifically targeting rural. It seems to be really laid out nicely for the urban centres, which is fine. But I think that this is an opportunity for Castlegar to administer because it’s to their benefit.”
Alex Leffelaar, climate action assistant, clarified that the platform is intended to support co-ordination between multiple community organizations, rather than serve a single municipality or service area.
“This community service network that’s forming, it’s something that’s happening between community services around the region,” said Leffelaar.
He said the model grew out of collaboration between several local service providers.
“The original planning and partnership project engaged nine of the community service societies, and then five of them went in together to lead this research. And Castlegar has the most experience running a regional type transportation service,” he said.
“They’ve gone as far as bringing rides to Area D and across the ferry and up Slocan Valley. And what they found is that it’s really hard to run something like that as a singular organization. And it’s not as effective in those rural communities.”
“It’s really about creating resources that are available to all the communities”
Area A director Gary Jackman asked whether the system would remain focused on volunteer drivers or include other models such as ride- or car-sharing.
“How far can this expand? Is this just going to initially contain itself to volunteer drivers or is this going to open up to be much more broad?” asked Jackman.
Leffelaar said the initial focus remains on community-based transportation programs, but noted broader integration is being considered.
“Right now the regional booking platform is looking at community service society programs, so volunteer guidance programs,” he said. “But also they have a number of shuttles, medical shuttles, programs like that. And I would love to see those solutions start to link, but we’re taking baby-steps.”
He added the broader mobility advisory committee is examining multiple transportation solutions across the region.
The board ultimately approved the motion to apply for the grant before the June 1 deadline.
If successful, the RDCK will enter into a funding agreement with Castlegar Community Services Society, amend the 2026 financial plan by $15,000 and manage administration of the project through existing staffing structures.
The platform forms part of a broader effort by the RDCK’s Rural Mobility Community Advisory Committee to improve co-ordination between rural transportation providers and expand mobility options for residents across the region.
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