Transportation Plan

Active transportation means all human-powered transportation that moves people and goods to and from destinations.

• Walking – including people using wheelchairs mobility scooters, and other personal mobility devices
• Cycling – can also include other forms of human-powered transportation, such as skateboarding, scootering, and in-line skating.
• Electric micro-mobility devices - such as e-bikes, e-scooters, and other small, one-person electric vehicles are also increasingly popular means of travel.

Active transportation accounts for approximately 11% of all trips in Prince Rupert, with walking accounting for 10%. In addition, 75% of all trips are less than 15 minutes in length, a distance which could be easily replaced by walking or cycling.

Investments in active transportation infrastructure and support programs can make travelling by walking, cycling, rolling, or using a mobility aid a safer, more convenient, and enjoyable experience. This would help make active transportation modes the preferred modes for more trips.

Strategies to support active transportation:

• Strategy 2.1: Develop and adopt complete streets design standards focusing on enhanced active transportation facilities
• Strategy 2.2: Build a complete, connected, and accessible sidewalk network
• Strategy 2.3: Make walking a safe and more enjoyable experience
• Strategy 2.4: Design streets and trails to be universally accessible
• Strategy 2.5: Build a cycling and rolling network for people of all ages and abilities
• Strategy 2.6: Enhance trails and multi-use pathways to provide recreational opportunities
• Strategy 2.7: Create and enhance existing crossings to accommodate people of all ages and abilities
• Strategy 2.8: Focus on quick-build approaches to implementing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure using low-cost, flexible materials
• Strategy 2.9: Maintain active transportation facilities year-round
• Strategy 2.10: Develop support programs and initiatives that encourage people to use active transportation as the preferred mode for more trips

Refer to the Transportation Plan below for more information on how the City can improve walking, rolling and cycling.

Located strategically on the waterfront, Prince Rupert is positioned as an essential transportation gateway for northwestern British Columbia. Air-, water-, rail-, and road-based transportation modes provide connections for people, goods, and services to places beyond Prince Rupert. Although many transportation services are outside the City's jurisdiction, the City can improve connections between modes/types of transportation, ie. how we transfer between the different transportation options, and how we access information about what's locally available. High-quality interconnectivity between how people move in the City and how people can enter and exit the community is crucial to supporting a seamless and sustainable transportation network in Prince Rupert.

Strategies to improve modal interconnectivity:

• Strategy 1.1: Improve the quality of transportation connections within transportation hubs
• Strategy 1.2: Improve access to and from station and terminal areas
• Strategy 1.3: Improve accessibility of travel information
• Strategy 1.4: Work with transportation service operators to improve service to and from Prince Rupert

Please see the complete Transportation Plan below for more information on how the City can improve interconnectivity for all modes related to the broader regional and provincial transportation contexts.

Public transportation, including transit, school buses, taxis, and ride-hailing, can reduce transportation's environmental and community impacts. Public transportation is often the only option for people who do not drive to work, school, shopping areas, and recreational centres, making it an essential service for many community members.

BC Transit provides transit service in Prince Rupert as part of the broader Prince Rupert Transit System, which encompasses transit service in Prince Rupert and Port Edward. The City works with BC Transit on matters influencing current and future services as they affect the community. Public transportation currently accounts for approximately 3.6% of commute trips made by Prince Rupert residents and supports 150,000 annual trips.

A convenient and reliable public transit system is crucial to create a vibrant and sustainable community. The City has the opportunity to improve the service, amenities, and integration of transit to work towards a better vision for transit in the community, and will explore improving transit amenities in the years to come.

Eight strategies were identified to improve public transportation.

• Strategy 3.1: Advocate for BC Transit to improve transit service to make it a convenient and reliable transportation option
• Strategy 3.2: Work with BC Transit to ensure the transit network connects people to where they want to go, reducing the need to transfer
• Strategy 3.3: Improve the transit customer experience
• Strategy 3.4: Improve transit accessibility
• Strategy 3.5: Ensure the taxi supply matches the demand
• Strategy 3.6: Encourage ride-hailing to provide more transportation options
• Strategy 3.7: Manage and regulate the curbside for both ride-hailing and taxis
• Strategy 3.8: Continue to work with partners to support and improve service for children and youth travelling to and from school

Refer to the Transportation Plan for more information on how Prince Rupert could work towards a better transit system for the community.

Driving in Prince Rupert is vital to connect people and goods to businesses, homes, key community destinations, and the region. Travel by private vehicle is the dominant mode of transportation in Prince Rupert today, as cars account for over 83% of trips made in the City. Goods movement is also a crucial part of the City's economy, especially with connections to and from the Port of Prince Rupert. However, the City's approach to transportation planning is shifting and increasingly focused on the interconnectivity of modes and a shift away from private vehicles.

The City can improve its street network to move people and goods more efficiently and make it safer for everyone. By taking a balanced, multi-modal approach to transportation planning, Prince Rupert's streets can function better, see fewer collisions, and improve the quality of life in Prince Rupert with more sustainable transportation and placemaking opportunities.

Strategies to improve driving conditions in Prince Rupert:

• Strategy 4.1: Update the City's street network classifications to reflect the intended function
• Strategy 4.2: Design and deliver people-first streets
• Strategy 4.3: Regularly maintain the road network to preserve a state of good repair
• Strategy 4.4: Improve safety for all road users
• Strategy 4.5: Adopt the updated goods movement network to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods
• Strategy 4.6: Support the electrification, automation, and sharing of transportation modes to ensure that the City can accommodate future trends
• Strategy 4.7: Review parking supply and demand that encourages appropriate use to support the needs of residents, visitors, and businesses

Actions for each of these strategies and more information are available on the Transportation Plan.

The implementation plan was developed based on the following guiding principles:

• The Transportation Plan is one step towards implementing the vision for transportation in Prince Rupert; it is not the last step.
• The Transportation Plan is a flexible and living document.
• The City should monitor, review, and update the Transportation Plan on a regular basis, as needed.
• The City should actively foster partnerships and seek external funding sources to help implement the plan.
• The City will engage in further public consultation to implement the recommendations included in the Transportation Plan.
• The City should incorporate the short-term priorities into its 5-year Financial Plan, and a new investment strategy should be developed for the long-term.

Please refer to Chapter 8 of the Transportation Plan for more information and Funding considerations.