By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Oct. 20, 2012
The Squamish Transit System will introduce a series of changes to Squamish routes and schedules effective October 22, 2012.
The changes are being implemented to increase ridership by a targeted 6,100 riders per year and deliver an overall more reliable service to customers throughout the system.
In this first phase of changes, riders can expect minor changes to routing and schedules, buses that meet school bell times, and increased service to Quest University Canada.
The changes are being implemented based on their ability to increase ridership numbers, improve reliability of service, and bear no cost to implement. Additional recommendations that require a budget to implement will be prioritized and budgeted for in 2013 and beyond.
“The public consultation process highlighted the appetite for smaller improvements layered onto the existing system, versus large scale changes to routing and service design,” says District of Squamish Mayor Rob Kirkham.
“These changes will have an immediate positive impact, improving transit service to the greatest number of existing and potential users. While we acknowledge there may be some users inconvenienced by the changes, the broader benefits are clear.”
Change Highlights:
- School bell times at many Squamish schools and corresponding BC Transit schedules will be synced, in particular with: Squamish Elementary where students bus from across the community to attend French Immersion, Don Ross Secondary and Howe Sound Secondary, allowing high school students to easily access after school jobs.
- Quest University students– a valuable transit destination expected to drive ridership due to their on-campus residency– will no doubt give high marks to the doubling of trips from four to eight runs a day.
- Two route changes on the Valleycliffe and the Downtown routes will be implemented to improve directness of trips and the timing reliability and ease of use of the transit system’s schedules.
- A pilot re-route of the Highlands bus around Skyline Drive to improve fleet efficiency while engaging the public to explore improved service throughout the system.
- Various bus stops are being re-positioned to improve rider accessibility and fleet efficiency.
