Northern Health adjusts Tumbler Ridge shuttle to once-daily

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health’s free shuttle service between Tumbler Ridge and Fort St. John is transitioning from a twice-daily route to a once-daily service.

According to the health authority in a news release on February 21st, the service aims to “better support patients, families, support persons and staff traveling between communities.”

The service, along with expanded hours and services at the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre, was first introduced on February 12th, in response to the shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, with buses running twice daily.

Under the updated once-a-day schedule, the shuttle will depart at 7 a.m. from the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre each day and will run until 7:45 p.m., when the bus returns to Tumbler Ridge. 

The 25-passenger bus is wheelchair accessible and equipped with an onboard washroom, according to Northern Health.

All pickup and drop-off locations will be at hospitals in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Chetwynd, and the health centre in Tumbler Ridge.

Northern Health says there is no cost to use the shuttle, and no pre-booking is required, with the service operating on a first-come, first-served basis.

The full shuttle schedule can be viewed at Northern Health’s website.