A lack of taxis and regular transit in Pemberton and Mount Currie is causing problems for locals, particularly society's most vulnerable.
There are no taxi companies currently operating in either town. Ghost taxis are popular in the area, especially during busy celebrations like New Year’s Eve. Others turn to the popular Poparide app to get around without a car outside of regular bus times.
Some elderly people in the community say they feel disconnected from the downtown core. Pemberton Meadows resident, Rosalind Marcia Young, said transportation options have deteriorated greatly since her family first moved into the community 64 years ago.
“As a senior citizen and recent widow without a driver’s licence, I am stuck at home because there is no bus service and taxi service,” she said.
“One can only impose on friends so much to get around. This community is not for the elderly, it is catered towards the young and able. Thank goodness I can get groceries delivered. I was raised here, and we always had a taxi and bus service since the late '50s. I know that most people have one or two cars per family to get around and that cuts down on passengers... but there are still people like me out there.”
The 67-year-old said many of her neighbours are in a similar situation, and are not able to do their own shopping. Young visits the downtown core every two weeks for her Seniors Stitch Group. Luckily, her brother lives nearby and is able to take her to essential doctor’s appointments.
“He brings me my mail and stuff I should run out of,” she said.
Sammy Losee echoed these concerns.
“I know my Mom (as a longtime member of this community and as a senior) is struggling with no taxi service when the weather turns,” she said.
The Pemberton Seniors Society helps seniors stay connected to their community. Brenda Geoff McLeod explained elderly people in the area often have to depend on others to get around.
“There are quite a few seniors living in Pemberton and area who do not drive anymore for a variety of reasons,” she said. “These people become housebound, especially in winter unless they have others to drive them places. Some seniors who do drive and have easy vehicles to get in and out of will pick up other seniors who don’t drive. We have the local Pemberton Seniors Society that many seniors have membership to and that provides a bit of support and networking for seniors.”
Similarly, Pemberton's notorious hot summer temperatures can create problems for seniors.
“I have become aware of seniors having to walk from the seniors' housing to seniors' activities in scorching hot temperatures because of no transportation options,” said McLeod. “Our community had much better transportation options years ago.”
McLeod said Pemberton Valley Supermarket offers a delivery service for groceries, but other businesses have yet to follow suit.
Georgina Dan said buses from Pemberton to Mount Currie create even more limits. Some Lil’wat Nation youth also say they are scared to take the local bus from Mount Currie to Pemberton due to anti-social behaviour and fighting on board.
“I would love to have more bus times available,” said Dan. “It limits so much with the current schedule. Last bus from Whistler to Pemberton is at 9 p.m., but the last bus from Pemberton to Mount Currie is at 7. A lot of Lil’wat people get stuck hitchhiking home with not having enough for a $25 hire home all the time.”
Dan told Pique an average ride home in a ghost taxi costs $20, or $25 if she has groceries.
Kendra Klassen said a ride from Reid Road to Pioneer Junction costs approximately $40. She stressed it can also be difficult to find a reputable driver.
"I was able to get a ghost taxi on NYE, but it’s definitely frustrating, because we have a lot of friends out past Mount Currie,” she said. “It’s impossible for them to come into town for a couple drinks or even for us to go out there for a couple as we/they have no way of getting back home.”
Catherine Bégin said the only way to get home from a night out in Whistler is to keep the details vague. The group could not find a taxi driver willing them to take them back to Pemberton.
“The trick is you get in and tell them you’re going north, and when you get close to Emerald you specify you’re going to Pemberton,” she said. “Otherwise they won’t even let you get in the taxi if they know you’re going to Pemberton.”
Bégin and her colleagues encounter this problem every year at their staff Christmas party.
“This year we decided to be a bit cheeky and not tell them exactly where we were going, and it worked,” she said. “We almost decided to rent a school bus to get everybody home to Pemberton. There should be a 1 a.m. bus back to Pemberton so we could enjoy more pub time. Without any more bars open in Pemberton and no transportation, I’m sure a lot of people drink and drive.”
A Whistler taxi company was reportedly charging up to $200 for a one-way trip to Pemberton in 2022.
As far as drinking and driving, a "Don’t Drink and Drive Call Me" Facebook page operates in Pemberton for people who need a ride. But many residents are calling for more regular buses to and from Whistler. Five buses depart from Pemberton daily. They leave Blackbird Bakery at 7 a.m., 8:20 a.m., 5:25 p.m., 6:50 p.m. and 9:58 p.m.
Ridesharing company Uber confirmed to Pique it has no current plans to expand into Pemberton. Corporate communications lead, Keerthana Rang, said the company appreciates the continued support from potential riders and drivers.
“We continue to look for ways to expand into new cities which is dependent on local conditions, including availability of drivers with Class 4 licenses,” she said. “Last year, in June, we expanded to Victoria, Kelowna, and Chilliwack, and then in September, we expanded to Mission, north of Chilliwack, and Kent. We have no immediate plans to expand to Pemberton.”
Transportation remains one of council’s top priorities. Michelle Fernandes, communications and engagement advisor for the Village of Pemberton, urged people to make their concerns heard.
“The Village of Pemberton understands the importance of reliable and accessible transportation for our community members, especially during the busy winter season,” she said. “Community feedback is crucial in helping mayor and council in their advocacy efforts to identify opportunities to improve transportation service within Pemberton and between our neighbouring communities.”
BC Transit’s senior media relations and public affairs advisor, Jamie Weiss said that the organization is working on improving Pemberton’s transport system.
“BC Transit and our local government partners work hard to provide the most safe and reliable transportation for our customers in the Pemberton Valley Transit System. We recognize the growth in Pemberton and its neighbouring communities, and that there is an increased demand for public transit,” he said. “The Village of Pemberton, Lil’wat Nation and the Squamish Lillooet Regional District who fund the local share of this transit service have agreed to support an expansion and increase in service on the Route 99 Pemberton Commuter.”
Locals should see the benefits of the expansion sooner rather than later. “This expansion, which would see an additional bus enter service and more frequency during peak times, is pending provincial funding and would be implemented during fiscal year 2024-25,” said Weiss. “BC Transit will continue to work with our local government and provincial partners throughout this process and more information will be available in the coming months.”
