After more than 40 years of making stops along Nelson Avenue, BC Transit has ceased pick up service in this West Trail neighbourhood.
The reason why? Safety.
“Following a safety audit of the West Kootenay Regional Transit System, BC Transit identified necessary adjustments to the routes 41 and 98 to ensure safe operation of our buses,” BC Transit told the Trail Times via email.
As a result, Route 41 Binns will no longer service the following four stops:
• Binns Street at McAnally Street
• Dockerill Street at Hendry Lane
• Nelson Avenue at B Street
• Nelson Avenue at Lookout Street
Signage has been posted at the affected stops, notifying riders of nearby alternatives, and a customer alert has been published on the BC Transit website.
In addition, until further notice, BC Transit said the Route 98 Columbia Commuter is being rerouted through the Blueberry neighbourhood.
The previous stop just off Highway 22 has moved to 100 Street at Beresford Avenue.
The change is expected to add time to the route, and customers may experience minor delays.
Timing for Route 99 Kootenay Connector will also be adjusted in Nelson to ensure connections remain viable.
“BC Transit apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and [we] appreciate the patience of our customers as we work with our local government partners and our operating partner, PWTransit Canada, on permanent solutions,” the spokeperson stated.
After more than four decades of continuous service, NextGen Transit — formerly Trail Transit — ceased operations on March 1, 2025, following the loss of its final BC Transit contract in the East Kootenay. This marked the end of a 43-year partnership.
BC Transit had earlier awarded the West Kootenay service contract to PWTransit Canada, effective April 1, 2024.
Then, in July 2024, Keolis — a French multinational transportation company — acquired PWTransit Canada through the purchase of Pacific Western Transportation’s transit and motorcoach divisions.
That deal, finalized in early 2025, effectively doubled Keolis’ Canadian footprint, adding about 550 vehicles across 23 municipalities and 1,100 employees, according to Keolis North America's website.
