Transportation and Logistics:
An Industry Snapshot

Kamloops is a vital transportation hub in Western Canada providing a diverse range of logistics solutions with direct links to the rest of Canada, United States, Europe and the Pacific Rim by road, rail and air. Located in the heart of the Interior of B.C., Kamloops is meeting place for the North and South Thompson Rivers and four of the province’s major highways; the Coquihalla (Highway 5), TransCanada (Highway 1), Yellowhead (Highway 5), and Highway 97. Kamloops’ strong transportation and logistics network is one of the keys to the city’s ability to attract business, but also provides visitors and residents with the connections they require to enjoy and explore the beauty of British Columbia and beyond.

Competitive Advantages


Highways & Trucking

There are over 50 trucking and transport companies located in Kamloops that ship goods throughout British Columbia, across Canada, and into the United States. Kamloops is strategically located at the intersection of Western Canada’s four major highways: Coquihalla (Hwy 5), TransCanada (Hwy 1), Yellowhead (Hwy 5), and Highway 97. The $95 million dollar twinning and widening of the TransCanada Highway from Kamloops to Chase was completed December 2016.

Warehousing, Logistics & Land: Kamloops enjoys these advantages:

  • Established warehousing centre with public warehouses
  • 8 industrial parks, some with both rail and highway access
  • 1678.6 acres of land zoned for industrial use
  • Home of bonded warehouse NRI Distribution, one of Canada’s key logistic providers catering to the active sports apparel and equipment industry

Kamloops Airport

The Kamloops Airport (YKA) is one of the fasted growing regional airports. It is operated by YVR Airport Services Ltd. and is the main airport in the Thompson Nicola Regional District, providing air service connections to virtually every part of the world. In 2018, YKA saw the highest airport traffic volume in its history with 351,631 passengers through the gates. In the same year, they introduced the first ever direct Kamloops – Toronto flight. The airport handles both passenger transport and air cargo. There is a solid industrial base, including aircraft sales, parts and maintenance nearby at Fulton Field. Charter operations, forest service protection branch, air traffic control, ground transportation and storage hangars all operate as airport tenants. Aircraft refueling, Customs and Broder Services are available.

Railways

Both the Canadian National Railway (CNR) and Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) service Kamloops with their railways intersecting in the city.

  • Canadian Pacific Railway is a transcontinental carrier operating in Canada and the U.S. It serves the principal centres of Canada, from Montreal to Vancouver, and the U.S.’s Northeast and Midwest regions. Alliances with other carriers extend its market reach throughout the U.S. and into Mexico.
  • Canadian National Railway’s network is a connection to North America and the world with more than 34,000 kilometres of track. CN assists in customers shipping their goods globally through the many ports they service on three coasts, or leveraging the 19 strategically located intermodal terminals across their network.

Skilled Labour Force

The labour force in Kamloops is one that is highly skilled and many programs are available to help facilitate the specific training required to support the transportation and logistics industry. Thompson Rivers University and NorKam School of Trades & Technology offers programs such as Logging Truck Driver Training, Class 1 Truck Driver and Professional Driver Training. Other private training facilities are also available.

Incentives for the Transportation & Logistics Industry


Machinery and Equipment Investment

Purchase of eligible machinery and equipment is exempted from Provincial Sales Tax (PST). Eligible expenditures include machinery and equipment used in manufacturing, software development, mining and mineral exploration, petroleum and natural gas production, and logging. More Information

FortisBC Heavy-duty Natural Gas Vehicles Incentive Program

Following the Government of B.C.’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction regulation announcement, FortisBC has an incentive funding program to assist qualifying heavy-duty fleet operators to purchase natural gas vehicles which will allow companies to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions and see fuel savings. More Information

Transportation & Logistics Resources


Thompson Rivers University Driver Training

Thompson Rivers University, School of Trades & Technology continues its LMA-Class 1 Truck Driving Training. This programs is a result of a growing need of skilled workers in the trucking and mining industry and to provide a solution to the shortage. More Information

Transportation & Logistics Organizations


BC Trucking Association (BCTA)

BCTA is a province-wide, non-partisan, non-profit motor carrier association formed solely to advance the interests of British Columbia motor carriers. Founded in 1913, BCTA includes among its members for-hire and private carriers hauling every conceivable type of freight including manufactured goods, heavy specialized commodities, bulk products, household goods and general freight. They also represent motor coach, courier, and waste management companies and suppliers to the industry. More Information

Testimonial

“We move approximately 25 million pieces through NRI Distribution – Kamloops in a year. From a regional distribution standpoint, we can be in Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton overnight and to most major cities in Canada within 4 days. I certainly have a lot of pride in Kamloops and how it’s developing.”

- Peter McKenna, Co-Owner NRI Distribution

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