Photo: Kevin Lo
By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Aug. 17, 2013
Almost every day, Sucha Singh takes the bus from Valleycliffe to reach the Sikh temple, a gathering place for most Sikh elders.
The weekends, however, is a far more involved process.
He either has to wait for a friend to pick him up or he hopes his family members will find something to do in downtown Squamish.
“Sometimes it’s hard to get a ride,” he says
From Sept. 1 onwards, Pashaura and many of those who depend on public transit won’t have to depend on others or stay at home for lack of a ride.
BC Transit, working with District of Squamish, is introducing the following new services.
1, Extended evening service
2, Service on Sundays and statutory holidays
3, A new 15-minute service from Garibaldi Estate to Downtown and back.
The changes are the result of a survey BC Transit conducted two years, asking Squamishers what kind of service they would like to the city.
Coun. Susan Chapelle, chair of the transit committee, said she hopes more people will use the services.
“The community wanted evening and weekend transit and the benefits far outweigh the cost.” Coun. Susan Chapelle.
It would cost the municipality $214, 300 to fund the new service improvements.
Chapelle said it would be interesting to see if more frequent bus service to Garibaldi Estate and Downtown Squamish result in an increase in ridership.
Through her transit committee, Chapelle said she would like to also bring in a smaller community bus, one that would transport people to recreation activities within the town.
Coun. Ted Prior also said transit has always been a council priority and the three service level changes are a step in the right direction.
There will be no immediate fare increase associated with the introduction of these service improvements.
Below are the changes being planned.
Evening trips
Currently, the last trip on the transit system in Squamish leaves downtown at 6:40 p.m., from Monday to Thursday, and Saturday.
The new service will see evening hours extended, with buses plying different routes extended the service to 8 p.m., and beyond.
Sunday and holiday
As for the Sunday and holidays option, the service would operate using one vehicle, from roughly 10:00 to 6:00 pm.
Trips will be offered approximately every hour and a half to two hours on all routes in the system.
New bus route
This new bus route that will operate between Tantalus Road and downtown Squamish via Government Road and Highlands Mall, with a 15-20 minute frequency.
This route will operate during weekday peak times (roughly 6 to 9 am, and then 3 to 6 pm.)
In the past five years, Squamish Transit has shown a 49 per cent increase in ridership over five years.
Jonathan says
This is great news! I hope the University gets an improved service, given that the number of students will be up very significantly this year.
Don Patrick says
Great availability, now use the service and of course pay for it… word of advise to certain passengers to not stand next to the driver yaking while he is doing the driving… the driver should be reprimanded for allowing same but seems to be a lot of folks doing that and it is not a recommended practice
… the head coverings will not save you from a sudden stop…. and those medical bills are shared by all of us.
Anonymous says
What about ravens plateau. We certainly need bus service
Chaya says
What about the dreaded 3:18 bus from downtown that is combined for Brackendale and GH??? has that issue been addressed?????????
Anonymous says
Wow, progress! NOW, if we can get hourly service from downtown at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. (you know peak hours for those needing to get to work) that would be great! A small bus perhaps since it seems the buzz is buses are ’empty’. Last year a bus stop was erected at Eaglewind Blvd yet the service seems to have stopped. Many new families who have moved into this area would certainly benefit now. Since moving to Squamish 6 years ago, I often sit and wonder, shaking my head, who is canvassed and who makes the final decisions. Those needing the service – hum, I’m thinking not!
Anonymous says
AND a big hand-clap for Coun. Susan Chapelle who seems to have everyone’s best interests at heart. I’m a fan!