Dear fellow Bowen Islanders,
This letter is to inform you that both Mike Shannon (English Bay Launch water taxi) and I, have recently discussed and explored the possibility of EBL expanding their services to include land based taxi/shuttle services on Bowen Island.
We are pleased to announce that after much discussion about the island's transportation shortfalls, research into the necessary regulatory and safety requirements, understanding of the potential risks, and acknowledgement of the obvious benefits to our community; Mike has not only agreed to give his time and lend his extensive experience in the business of passenger transportation, but has also expressed a deep desire to further invest financially in the community, and immediately begin moving forward with a venture that will provide Bowen Island with the safe, accessible, environmentally friendly, and reliable taxi/shuttle service that I’m sure many of you feel, is long overdue in arriving.
As so many have pointed out in the past, the benefits such a service would add to the economic, environmental, and social well being of the island, are invaluable. Thanks to Mike Shannon, the new Bowen Island taxi service will soon be able to pick up where our current bus service drops off.
In order for this to be successful, we are going to need your help and support in may ways!
The first step in the process is apply for a permit to operate. The BC Passenger Transportation Board requires us to submit letters of support with our application for a Special Authorization Taxi License. Since Bowen Island is a Municipality that currently has no taxi service and has limited bus service that doesn’t cover the entire island and stops running at 7:00 pm, we can apply under a special provision in the legislation that will shorten the approval process considerably if the supporting documentation we submit clearly indicates the stated transportation shortfalls and conveys an “Urgent Public Need” for a taxi service.
We sincerely hope that you will “Get On Board” and help us with our endeavor to bring a taxi service “Operated by Bowen Islanders, for Bowen Islanders!” back to the community of Bowen Island. You can submit your letters to bowentaxi@gmail.combowentaxi@gmail.com
In the coming days and weeks, we will be setting up social media accounts, having meetings with key stakeholders, and will be scheduling an information session where we can meet face to face and share our vision with you, answer your questions, and most importantly, get your feedback. If you can’t make it, don’t worry. We intend to keep you fully informed on the entire process via social media.
Thank you and welcome aboard!