Katharine Hamer
News Reporter khamer@nusnews.com

A new contract has been awarded to operate the
cycle shuttle across the Lions Gate Bridge.

The B.C. Transportation Financing Authoriey (BCTE, A)
announced Thursday that the contract would go to Explore!
B.C. Tourism Services.

The Granville Island company replaces North Vancouver-
based Velo-City Cycle Tours, which has operated the shuttle ser-
Vice since its inception in December 1999,

The announcement comes one week after the tender for the
contract closed and almost a month after BCTFA’s request for
proposals,

BCTFA spokeswoman Pam Ryan said that Explore! B.C.

Sunday, October 1, 2000 - North Shore News - 2

le contract awarded —

B.C. Transportation Financing
Authority names Explore!
B.C. Tourism Services

and Velo-City were the only two contenders for the contract
with qualified proposals,

She said the main reason for the coatract being awarded to
Explore! B.C, was that the new company was “significantly less
expensive. Cost was a major factor.”

Explore! B.C. will take over the contract. effective Friday,
Oct. 6.

The company has been running a range of recreation, trans-

Student arrested after knife incident

A 14-year-old Windsor secondary student was
arrested at a school event on Thursday in connec-
tion with a knife incident.

“North Vancouver RCMP Const. Dan Guilfoyle said police
recommended charges of assault, threatening, carrying a con-
ceaied weapon and possessing a dangerous weapon against the
teenager. The youth has since been charged. His name cannot
be. published as that would contravene the Young Offenders
Act.

‘20 Weare Yeial Experience

Cons: {tation aCarrén,

Police sav the youth threatened other students with the knife
at a school barbecue,

The event was billed as a Grade 8 barbecue which had danc-
ing, afterwards. ‘The event was abrupdy cancelled after the knife
incident. Police were called shorty after 6 p.m. The knife had a
curved 15 em (six inch) blade. No one was hurt.

The high school is located in the 900-block of Broadview off

Mount Seymour Parkway.’

—Anna Marie D'Angelo

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portation and accommodation services since 1997.

For now, the shuttle schedule will remain unchanged.

Ryan said Explore! B.C. is attempting to introduce a better
information system for cyclists by installing temporary phone
boxes at shuttle collection points which would connect directly
to an operator with updates on any scheduling changes.

Velo-City has been operating a pre-recorded informztion
line.

The vehicles used by Explore! B.C. for the shuctle service will
be similar to those currently operated by Velo-City. They will
use two vans to transport cyclists and their bikes across the
bridge.

Meanwhile traffic delays on the bridge should case up after
this weekend. Ryan said the steep metal plate slowing cars down
at the bridge's north tower will be replaced by a more manage-
able alternative by Sunday.

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