Rural Transit Needs Assessment

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Updated Feb 20, 2025

Help Shape the Future of Transportation in the Fraser Valley

If you live in the FVRD's rural areas, including Hope, Kent, and Harrison Hot Springs, we would like to hear from you! Your experiences and ideas will help us better understand the daily transportation challenges people face and will guide future decisions about transit in our region.


Public engagement is now open! Register for an upcoming focus group, take the survey or drop a pin on the map and share your ideas.


Understanding Rural Transportation Needs

Transportation for rural and remote communities in the FVRD can be challenging. Many residents have limited or no access to public or private transit, especially after the loss of Greyhound in 2018. Getting to work, school, shopping, or medical appointments each day can be particularly difficult for non-drivers, seniors, youth, and people living with mobility or health challenges.

The Rural Transit Needs Assessment & Action Plan will help us better understand:

  • What transportation challenges do people experience each day
  • Where service gaps currently exist in communities
  • What are the opportunities for new transit partnerships
  • What types of transit solutions could improve mobility and access to essential services

This project will explore a wide range of possibilities, from handyDART and on-demand services to community shuttles and other creative rural mobility models. Focusing on rural communities and First Nations within the FVRD, as well as the municipalities of Hope, Kent, and Harrison Hot Springs.

Note: This study is separate from past engagement on the planned North of Fraser bus route and focuses on transportation solutions in the FVRD’s rural areas that go beyond conventional bus routes.


How You Can Take Part

Your voice is important. You can share your thoughts and experiences using any of the following ways:

  • Participate in a virtual focus group: Join a small-group conversation to share your experiences and ideas. Registration open!
  • Take a 10-minute online survey: Tell us about your day-to-day travel needs and the challenges you face in getting to where you need to go.
  • Drop a pin on the map: Show us the places where you want to go and where transit would make the biggest difference for you and your community.
  • Share your ideas: Share your thoughts on new transit options or community-based services that could help meet local needs.


Working Together

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Rural Transit Solutions Fund and Fraser Health's Macro Health Grant for Hope and the Fraser Canyon. This support will help the FVRD and the project consultants, Left Turn Right Turn Ltd. explore new and innovative ways to improve mobility for rural and remote communities in the FVRD, informed by the lived experiences of:

  • Residents of rural and remote communities
  • First Nations
  • Seniors and youth
  • People with disabilities or limited mobility
  • Non-drivers
  • Anyone who provides or relies on others for transportation


Want to continue to be part of the conversation? Subscribe to receive project updates or register for an upcoming focus group.


Updated Feb 20, 2025

Help Shape the Future of Transportation in the Fraser Valley

If you live in the FVRD's rural areas, including Hope, Kent, and Harrison Hot Springs, we would like to hear from you! Your experiences and ideas will help us better understand the daily transportation challenges people face and will guide future decisions about transit in our region.


Public engagement is now open! Register for an upcoming focus group, take the survey or drop a pin on the map and share your ideas.


Understanding Rural Transportation Needs

Transportation for rural and remote communities in the FVRD can be challenging. Many residents have limited or no access to public or private transit, especially after the loss of Greyhound in 2018. Getting to work, school, shopping, or medical appointments each day can be particularly difficult for non-drivers, seniors, youth, and people living with mobility or health challenges.

The Rural Transit Needs Assessment & Action Plan will help us better understand:

  • What transportation challenges do people experience each day
  • Where service gaps currently exist in communities
  • What are the opportunities for new transit partnerships
  • What types of transit solutions could improve mobility and access to essential services

This project will explore a wide range of possibilities, from handyDART and on-demand services to community shuttles and other creative rural mobility models. Focusing on rural communities and First Nations within the FVRD, as well as the municipalities of Hope, Kent, and Harrison Hot Springs.

Note: This study is separate from past engagement on the planned North of Fraser bus route and focuses on transportation solutions in the FVRD’s rural areas that go beyond conventional bus routes.


How You Can Take Part

Your voice is important. You can share your thoughts and experiences using any of the following ways:

  • Participate in a virtual focus group: Join a small-group conversation to share your experiences and ideas. Registration open!
  • Take a 10-minute online survey: Tell us about your day-to-day travel needs and the challenges you face in getting to where you need to go.
  • Drop a pin on the map: Show us the places where you want to go and where transit would make the biggest difference for you and your community.
  • Share your ideas: Share your thoughts on new transit options or community-based services that could help meet local needs.


Working Together

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Rural Transit Solutions Fund and Fraser Health's Macro Health Grant for Hope and the Fraser Canyon. This support will help the FVRD and the project consultants, Left Turn Right Turn Ltd. explore new and innovative ways to improve mobility for rural and remote communities in the FVRD, informed by the lived experiences of:

  • Residents of rural and remote communities
  • First Nations
  • Seniors and youth
  • People with disabilities or limited mobility
  • Non-drivers
  • Anyone who provides or relies on others for transportation


Want to continue to be part of the conversation? Subscribe to receive project updates or register for an upcoming focus group.


  • Help us understand your community's unique transportation needs

    The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) is undertaking a Rural Transit Needs Assessment and Action Plan to better understand current transportation challenges and identify potential future transportation solutions for rural and remote communities. The survey closes on March 13, 2026. After completing the survey, you may enter to be eligible to win one of three $50 grocery gift cards.

    Your input will help identify unmet needs, priorities, and opportunities to improve access to employment, education, health care, and community services. Participation will ensure future transportation planning reflects local realities and community needs.


    Who can participate?
    Residents, workers, students, and service providers are invited to share their experiences with getting around, including:

    • What works well in the current transportation system
    • Where service gaps exist
    • How transportation challenges affect daily life


    Survey details:

    • Time to complete: 10–15 minutes
    • Responses are confidential and will be used to inform technical analysis and recommendations
    • You may skip any question you do not feel comfortable answering
    • Do not include identifying or personal information 


    Need help?
    Assistance is available for anyone who requires support completing the survey. Options include:

    • Printed copies at the offices of FVRD Chilliwack, District of Kent, Village of Harrison Hot Springs, District of Hope and Seabird Island Band
    • Completing the survey over the phone
    • Having a survey mailed to you by calling 604-702-5000


    Any personal information on this survey is being collected in accordance with Section 27 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, RSBC 1996 Ch. 165 and the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015 Ch.1. It will only be collected, used and disclosed for the purpose of administering matters with respect to planning, land use management and related services delivered, or proposed to be delivered, by the FVRD. Questions about the use of personal information and the protection of privacy may be directed to the FVRD Privacy Officer at 45950 Cheam Avenue, Chilliwack, BC V2P 1N6, Tel: 1-800-528-0061 FOI@fvrd.ca.

    Take Survey
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Page last updated: 26 Feb 2026, 10:10 PM