IN THE KNOW:
B.C. Transit is Back
The pandemic changed a lot, including how folks get around. To avoid infection, many chose to walk, bike or drive instead of riding buses and trains. As a result, transit agencies faced low ridership levels, and BC Transit — the crown corporation that delivers public transportation across the province — was no exception. In the spring of 2020, its ridership sank by 80 per cent, compared to pre-COVID numbers, and never recovered — until now.
Across the 57 systems it serves, BC Transit has seen a return to pre-pandemic ridership levels. And in this way, it’s an outlier. “BC Transit is one of the first transit agencies in North America to reach this ridership milestone,” said Rob Fleming, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The crown corporation recovered due in large part to the $86 million it received in support funding from provincial-federal cost-sharing agreement Safe Restart, which also provided $644 million to TransLink and $308 million to BC Ferries.
But there’s more to their comeback than financial aid. “I’m also grateful for the dedication of our drivers, mechanics and all other transit employees who have worked tirelessly to provide an essential service for our customers,” said Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit’s President and CEO.
FROM THE CURRENT ISSUE OF DOUGLAS:
Fossil Fuelled
Dino Lab is recreating the age of dinosaurs one fragment at a time.
BY LIAM RAZZELL
Husband and wife Terry Ciotka and Carly Burbank opened their fossil restoration business Dino Lab 18 years ago. What started as just the two of them working out of a garage in Calgary has grown to a team of 17 in a massive warehouse in James Bay. Together, they restore fossils and sell them to collectors and museums. Currently, they’re working on seven fossil reconstructions including a juvenile tyrannosaurus and three triceratops.
But what is Dino Lab’s business model?
Pick up the latest issues of Douglas to find out.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
October 16-17: Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award Gala
October 17: Entrepreneur Socializing and Networking Event
October 17: Reducing Food Waste, Circular Economy Speaker Series
October 18: Disrupt HR Conference
October 24-26: Canada West Health Leaders Conference
October 25: WorkBC Victoria Small Business Hiring Fair
October 25: Small Business Month Networking Breakfast
October 25-26: Nanaimo VIEA State of the Island Summit
October 27-18: Thriving Nations Conference
November 1-4: International Garden Tourism Conference
November 7-10: Canadian Association of Graduate Studies Conference
November 9-10: BCalm Mindfulness Conference
November 14-15: UPLIFT Women’s Business Summit
November 16: Navigating Business Volatility Roundtable Discussion
November 28: Hope in the City Luncheon
November 30: 2023 VIATEC Community Awards
January 21-24: Impact Sustainability Travel and Tourism Summit
March 6-8: South Island Prosperity Partnership Rising Economy Conference
