Posted on February 16, 2025
News Provided By:
The Omega News
March 21, 2025, 10am PST
Kamloops, BC, March 21, 2025 – The Omega, the official student newspaper of Thompson Rivers University will celebrate its relaunch on April 10th at Terrace Room CAC Building from 11am to 1pm and over 700 people are invited to attend the event. This event will mark a new chapter for the publication, showcasing its significance to the TRU student body and the community. For the people who are unable to physically attend the event, links can be found in their email messages and on our social media platforms. This will enable people to virtually attend the event.
Guests can look forward to an engaging lineup of activities like guest speakers, student performances, a live DJ, food and a Photo Booth with Omega-themed props. Sean Brady, The Omega’s manager and Robert McAlaster, Editor-in-Chief will discuss the newspaper’s history, it’s role in student life and their aspirations for the future. Guests will enjoy different selections of free food and drinks, like pizza, sandwiches, and a variety of desserts. Vegetarian and vegan options will be available to accommodate dietary preferences.
“The Omega has always been a reliable source of news for students, offering a safe space for reporting, dialogue, and creative expression,” stated Robert McAlaster .
The Omega is Thompson Rivers University’s independent student newspaper. It is currently published online and in hard copy. The Omega has been a vital aspect of TRU’s campus activity, reporting on issues that are significant to them. The newspaper is overseen by the Cariboo Student Newspaper Society, a registered non-profit society. The relaunch event seeks to rekindle student enthusiasm for journalism and media and promote involvement from aspiring writers. The Omega is committed to ethical reporting and follows Canadian standards of quality journalism. Its base operation costs are covered by student fees equal to $0.64 per credit to a maximum of $5.76 per semester per student. The remainder of costs are covered by online and print advertising.
“We are seeking new voices and different opinions,” McAlaster said. “If you have a story to share, The Omega is a place for you.” “My office is at OM 2768 and meetings hold on Mondays by 5pm at OM 2622 and we are hiring new members around August this year,” McAlaster said. Students are encouraged to get involved by submitting articles, photos and suggestions. Students who are curious can visit theomega.news to find additional information on submission options.
Join us on April 10th at the CAC Building as we celebrate the relaunch of The Omega.
Chiamaka Ezeka
ezekac20@tru.ca
236-313-****
TRU Student Writer
My Distribution Plan for the Omega News Relaunch Press Release
To enable my press release reach my desired audience, I have decided to distribute through a combination of local media platforms, TRU platforms, and social media channels. This method will ensure that TRU students, faculty members, staffs and the Kamloops community receive and attend the event.
My Distribution Strategy:
1. Local Media Channels: The press release will be distributed to local newspapers, radio stations, and online news platforms in Kamloops to secure external media coverage. These outlets possess a diverse audience, thereby facilitating outreach beyond the TRU community.
2. TRU Platforms: The press release will be featured on TRU’s official website, included in campus newsletters, displayed on digital bulletin boards, and circulated through faculty listservs to keep students and staff well-informed.
3. Social Media and Email Initiatives: Announcements will be made on The Omega’s social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook), while TRU student organizations and email distribution lists will assist in directly communicating with the campus population. Links will be distributed through emails and social media platforms for people who want to virtually attend the event.
4. On-Campus Distribution: Physical posters containing QR codes that link to the press release and event information will be strategically placed in high-traffic locations, such as the Campus Activity Centre and the House of Learning.
BC Transit CSR
I will be writing on two CSR for BC Transit: Low Carbon Fleet Program and Environmental Sustainability Plan.
Environmental Sustainability Plan: BC Transit prioritizes sustainability and brings together stakeholders to envision a future that is both equitable and environmentally friendly. This plan aims to reduce the environmental impact while encouraging sustainable practices and fostering positive transformations in the transportation sector. The environmental sustainability plan makes sure that stakeholders are included in every step of their plan. (https://www.bctransit.con/about/sustainability/)
Low Carbon Fleet Program: This program was announced in July 2019 and it aligns with the Province’s CleanBC and legislation in the Climate Change Accountability Act. BC Transit aims to buy 900 new buses in the next three to five years to assist this program reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). BC Transit has acquired electric buses 80 diesel double decker buses to address immediate transit requirements in the Victoria Regional Transit system. BC Transit plans to buy hybrid buses. Hybrid buses will enable the reduction of GHG emission, operate quietly on roads, consume less fuel and work with electric technology. To aid in lowering greenhouse gas emissions with the combustion fleet, BC Transit continues to incorporate the use of Hydrogenated Derived Renewable Diesel (HDRD). https://www.bctransit.com/bc-transit-to-add-more-buses-and-lower-carbon-emissions-12-09-2024/. https://www.bctransit.com/about/sustainability/low-carbon-fleet-program/
My Communication Plan
Key Messages
- BC Transit cares about reducing greenhouse gas emissions to reduce air pollution.
- To promote resilience and reliability in all aspects of transportation.
- BC Transit is working towards the use of sustainable public transport by using a Low Carbon Fleet.
My Target Audience
My target audience are BC Transit Users. They are students, elderly people, and everybody in the community. Another target are my stakeholders. These people can be people in charge of approving funding, and business owners that can be business partners with BC transit. The media, they are used to inform the people of BC Transit future plans.
Channels and Tactics
- Website: We can make use of our own website to reach out to customers or we can use the website of other social media platforms.
- We can write up press releases, schedule interviews with journalists.
- We can set up our very own social media platforms (eg TikTok). We can post interactive and relatable videos (Gen z’s love such videos).
- Events can be hosted to spread the word out. Invite the media, stakeholders, the communities. Fun activities can be used to keep your guests invested in the event. Make sure the prize is worth the effort. I think at the entrance of the event, guests can either choose to write down their phone number or email address (for people who want to get the monthly newsletter). Surveys and questionnaires can be sent to these phone numbers and email addresses.
My Evaluation Method
- Surveys and questionnaires can be sent to guests and stakeholders who left their phone numbers or email addresses.
- Monitor the comments on our website. These comments will be used to improve our weaknesses.
PRESS RELEASE
The BC Transit Low Carbon Fleet Program aims to minimize the carbon emissions of public transportation in British Columbia.
Posted on July 1, 2024
News Provided by:
BC Transit
July 24, 2024, 11am PST
Kamloops, BC, July 24, 2024- BC Transit announces its Low Carbon Fleet Program which aligns with the Province’s CleanBC Plan and legislation in the Climate Change Accountability Act. The Low Carbon Fleet Program is a feet replacement strategy that aims to replace existing buses with electric and hydrogenated powered buses by using the GHG reducing technology. This program promotes zero air pollution, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a sustainable transportation system for communities. Through the Low Carbon Fleet Program, BC Transit will operate electric buses and use low carbon fuels to achieve a 40 percent reduction in bus emissions by 2030 and reach its long term aspirations of operating a fully electric buses by 2040.
In an interview with the President and Chief Executive Officer of BC Transit, Erinn Pinkerton, she states “Electrification of our fleet is a significant part of our plan to reduce GHG emissions and ensure a cleaner and healthier future for everyone. With other active procurements underway and work advancing on charging infrastructures designs in communities, it is an exciting time for BC Transit and our partners!”
When asked of him thoughts of BC Transit’s upcoming massive transformation, Patrick Weiler, a Member of Parliament for West Vancouver- Sunshine Coast- Sea to Sky Country states, “This investment not only expands essential public transformation services in our communities, it also underscores our commitment to transitioning public transit to electric power, lowering emissions, improving localized air quality, making our communities quieter, and ultimately more liveable.”
BC Transit’s upcoming massive transformation shows their dedication to the community. There are high expectations for new electric buses as they greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving traffic efficiency and the overall experience for passengers.
Community members are encouraged to get involved by leaving your comments on BC Transit websites and social media platforms, and signing up for our monthly newsletter.
For more information, please visit our website www.BcTransit.com or contact:
Chiamaka Ezeka
ezekabctransit@admin
(236) *** ***
PR Manager, BC Transit
BC Transit Massive Step Towards Environmental Sustainability and what it means for Local Communities.
BC Transit deeply cares about the environment, from its coastal waters to its endless forests and soaring mountains. The Environmental Sustainability Vision speaks to a better future for all of BC and provides the foundation of BC Environmental Sustainability Plan. BC Transit is part of the solution towards helping to build a cleaner, healthier future for the province.
Public transit reduces air pollutants and greenhouse emissions by taking cars off roads and improves social mobility by providing citizens access to their communities. The launch of the Low Carbon Fleet Programs will help with the reduction of carbon emitting buses and launches the use of electrical used buses. This plan will ensure that the environment is clean and healthy for citizens of British Columbia. This Environmental Sustainability Plan expresses BC Transit’s strategy to integrate sustainable practices into every aspect of decision making and operations. By integrating sustainability across the organization, BC Transit aims to not just reduce its own impact on the environment but to also actively contribute to its preservation for future generations.
In a recent interview with the President and Chief Executive Officer of BC Transit, Erinn Pinkerton, she states “Electrification of our fleet is a significant part of our plan to reduce GHG emissions and ensure a cleaner and healthier future for everyone. With other active procurements underway and work advancing on charging infrastructures designs in communities, it is an exciting time for BC Transit and our partners!”
What does it mean for local communities? Rob Fleming, BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure states, “Innovation in our public transit system helps us create a greener future for everyone. As we start to electrify our transit fleet more people will be able to make cleaner transportation choices affordably. The communities of BC will soon be seeing new electrical infrastructure for their transit needs.”
BC Transit engages with diverse stakeholders and partners in open and ongoing dialogue to achieve BC Transit’s environmental objectives. Reducing the impact of climate change it’s important to BC Transit”s Environmental Sustainability Plan. BC Transit prioritizes lower carbon fuels and using electrical used buses that run on BC’s low carbon grid. Through the Low Carbon Fleet Program, BC Transit will operate electric buses and use low carbon fuels to achieve a 40 percent reduction in bus emissions by 2030 and reach its long term aspirations of operating a fully electric buses by 2040.
BC Transit is committed to identifying opportunities to improve air quality in the communities where it operates, by reducing air pollutants from vehicles. The Environmental Sustainability Plan commits BC Transit’s strategy to work towards ensuring climate risk, resilience and sustainable design are integral part of infrastructure and investment planning. BC Transit recognizes the importance of engaging with indigenous groups as vital rights holders in the development of sustainable infrastructure. These engagements are built on principles of respect, equity, and shared knowledge.
BC Transit encourages British Columbians to shift to more sustainable means of transportation, as they will invest in sustainable transportation networks to enable people to choose public or active transit options more easily. Reducing the number of trips made in passenger vehicles is an important part of reducing greenhouse emissions, and BC Transit intends to do its part to make public transit accessible as possible across the province.