Online bookings are now available for users of the Northern Health bus service that provides travel to medical appointments from northern B.C.
Patients and their travel companions can book their Northern Health Connections bus tickets through nhconnections.ca with any online device or by calling 1-888-647-4997.
To be eligible for the service, patients must have a valid BC Care Card and be in need of a health service not available in their home community. That includes cancer treatment, hemodialysis, physiotherapy, surgery and access to higher level of care or consultation with such medical professionals as a primary care physician, specialist physician, dentist or pharmacist.
Patients who require care from a physician or nurse during travel are not eligible.
Northern Health Connections buses also serve patients who have been transported by BC Emergency Health Services ground or air ambulances and need to travel home.
People who need accessible transportation due to mobility limitations can access the service without a medical appointment.
Seniors over the age of 60, with or without a medical appointment, are also eligible.
Companions and people supporting family members in care are also eligible. That includes people who have to travel from another community to provide assistance to a patient.
The bus is also open to health-care staff, physicians and health-care students.
Seat priority will be given to people with medical appointments, those who require mobility lifts and their companions.
Other requirements
- You must not need ongoing medical care during the trip;
- You must have a valid BC CareCard or BC Services Card;
- Passengers younger than 18 must travel with a companion who has written permission to travel with them, or a parent or legal guardian;
- Passengers aged 18 and older must carry photo ID;
- Companions must also carry photo ID.
Vancouver-Prince George schedule
One bus from Prince George to Vancouver runs Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, leaving from University Hospital of Northern B.C at 8 a.m. and arriving in Vancouver at 1100 Granville St., at 7:30 p.m.
The bus from Vancouver to Prince George runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It stops in Hixon, Quesnel, Kersley, Williams Lake, 150 Mile House, 108 Mile House, Lac La Hache, 100 Mile House, Clinton, Cache Creek, Hope, Chilliwack and Abbottsford.
The Prince George-Vancouver fare is $20.
For more scheduling information, go to the website.
Reservations have to made by 2 p.m. on the day of travel. If you have to cancel your reservation a minimum 24-hour notice is requested.
Companions might be bumped from travel if the bus is full of patients and sufficient notice is given.
The call centre can be reached at 1-888-647-4997 or if you’re outside of B.C. call 1-250-564-7499.
Luggage restrictions
Mini-bus passengers are limited to one carry-on bag that is no larger than 51 centimetres (20 inches) long, 23 cm (nine in) wide and 40 cm (16 in) tall.
Coach passengers are allowed one carry-on bag (within the above dimensions) and two checked pieces of luggage.
Each checked bag must be no larger than 61x114x61 centimetres (24x45x24 inches) and cannot weigh more than 23 kilograms (50 pounds).
