Downtown Echo, March 22, 2012

Page 1

March 22, 2012 Volume 11 • Number 12 50¢ Newsstand Price

downtown

INSIDe

Do you need immigration help?

Blazers playoffs begin Friday – page 2

also

Great deals and fashion at The Ruby Room – page 3

302 -141 Victoria Street 250-314-6555

your neighbourhood. your newspaper.

Your permanent ticket to ride (the bus)! Everyone knows that finding alternative modes of transportation is an important part of our future. As our city becomes more crowded, gas becomes more expensive and parking becomes sparser, how easy is it going to be to leave your car at home and take the bus? Well, the answer definitely relies on where you live and where you need to go but feel rest assured that the City of Kamloops is hard at work trying to make your bus riding life just a little bit easier. “The City of Kamloops and BC Transit have a hassle free way for you to take the bus,� explains Colleen Lepik, transportation coordinator for the City of Kamloops. “Purchased through your employer via regular payroll deduction, for only $44 per month the ProPASS offers unlimited travel on transit service throughout Kamloops.� A fairly simple way of acquiring transportation and promoting urban transportation, the ProPass could be a perk that business owners offer their employees. Compared to monthly bus pass holders, ProPASS users save $108 a year, and like monthly bus passes, ProPASS is tax deductible. In addition to saving you money, ProPASS is a permanent bus pass so you no longer have to remem-

The Echo’s own delivery specialist, Ian Watt takes advantage of the ProPASS.

ber to buy a bus pass every month Colleen. “Now up to two addior have change or bus tickets on tional adult family members livhand. ing in the same household as the The program which has been principal ProPASS holder can running for a while here in the now also sign up for ProPASS and City has recently gone through take advantage of the discounted 30( &R %ARLUG -AR INDD some changes to make it easier rate! As the principal ProPASS including reducing the required holder’s employer, you must number of transit riders per busi- agree to this and would be responness which will make it easier for sible for deducting payment for small businesses in our downtown each additional individual from core to participate. the principal ProPASS holder’s “We have made some improve- earnings. Employers will find ments to ProPass,� furthers ProPASS as easy to administer as

a payroll deduction to the United Way. And, with more employees taking the bus instead of driving to work, employers may even find that more valuable parking spaces are freed up for their customers.� Another change to the program is the time you must commit to riding the bus. Employees now only have to commit to a minimum of four months with ProPASS. This helps to accommodate employees who also use other ways to get to work depending on the season like ride their bike or walk to work during the spring and summer. So don’t delay, sign up your business up for ProPASS. It is a great perk for employees and id you sign up before April 22, 2012 (Earth Day), all new ProPASS users will be entered into a draw to win an e-book reader! If you already have a ProPASS, tell the City your transit story and why you’re a ProPASS user and you could win an e-book reader too! “Employers who register for ProPASS before July 1st, 2012 will receive six months free onboard bus advertising,� finishes Colleen. “For more details, contact Colleen Lepik at clepik@ kamloops.ca. For more information about ProPASS, visit www. bctransit.com/regions/kam (click on Fares, then ProPASS).� Tanya Orozco, freelance

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