Moving to a new country comes with many surprises, but for many international students in Kamloops, one challenge stands out right away which is the transport system.
When I first arrived, I was completely lost. Back home, buses didn’t have fixed times. You could just step out and catch one. But here, the buses follow strict schedules, and if you miss one, you might be waiting for the next thirty minutes. It took me a while to learn how to use Google Maps and plan ahead.
To understand how others feel about it, I spoke with two fellow international students -Kelvin from Nigeria and Romiel from Jamaica – who shared their honest experiences.
“The first few weeks were really confusing,” said Kelvin, who has lived in Kamloops for two years. “In Nigeria, most public transport is owned by individuals, but here, it’s all government-run. It took me a couple of weeks to figure it out.”
He explained that the system is always changing, with new routes and construction. “I once had to walk from Valleyview to Lansdowne Exchange , that’s almost an hour walk, because I missed the bus,” he added with a laugh. During winter, it gets even harder, and he sometimes relies on friends or calls BC Transit for help.
Romiel, who also came to Kamloops two years ago, had a slightly different experience.
“Honestly, I don’t think the bus system is that bad,” he said. “I use my E-bike most times, and I only take the bus when I really need to.”
Still, he admits it can be confusing knowing which bus stop to stand at, especially when two are across from each other. “There was a time I had to walk from TRU to Cascade Casino, that’s about thirty minutes, just because I missed the right stop,” he said.
He also noticed a cultural difference in how passengers pay: “In Jamaica, you pay the driver directly. But here, you need a preloaded card or daily pass. It took me months to get used to that.”
From hearing their stories and living through mine, one thing is clear, navigating Kamloops’ bus system can be tricky, especially for newcomers. But it’s not all bad; you just need patience and preparation.
Here are a few tips that have helped many of us:
- Get familiar early. Spend your first two weeks exploring routes, using Google Maps, and testing BC Transit.
- Leave early. Always give yourself extra time, buses can be delayed or come early.
- Know your direction. Be sure which stop is for “going” and which is for “coming.” It’s easy to get confused when they’re close to each other.
- Ask questions. Don’t be shy to ask locals or other students if you’re unsure.
- For bus drivers: please wait until passengers sit before driving off, and try not to rush. Many students are still learning and deserve a little patience.
- You can also call the BC Transit line (250-382-6161) each time you are lost or need to find your way around.
If you are a New Student in Kamloops, don’t be overwhelmed. You would get used to it with time and figure it out like a Pro. You are doing so well and I hoped some of these tips helped. The not-so-new people, I see you too. See you in our next story.
