The Conservative candidate for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky has committed to securing up to $15 million over two years, if elected, to fund a regional express bus pilot linking West Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton, according to a news release.
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The commitment would establish the region’s first fully integrated public bus network along the Highway 99 corridor, directly linking transit hubs in West Vancouver to Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton to relieve highway congestion, improve commuter safety and connect local workers with affordable transit options, the release says.
The $15 million would provide full capital and operational funding for the two-year pilot phase, according to the release. The pilot would include reliable connections between West Vancouver and Park Royal, Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton; schedules designed for people travelling for work, education, appointments, and essential services; and improvements to stops, passenger facilities, and park-and-ride connections.
“For far too long, workers, families, and businesses along the Sea-to-Sky highway have been left without a functional, affordable regional transit option,” said Ayla Dumais, the Conservative candidate for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky. She said people drive for hours along the highway every day to get to work, access medical care or run errands, and that she would fight to secure the funding.
During the two-year pilot, service metrics, ridership demand and route timing would be evaluated in consultation with local municipalities, regional districts and First Nations leadership to establish a permanent, long-term regional transit model, according to the release.
The commitment comes a month after the Sea to Sky Regional Transit Committee signed a memorandum of understanding with the province to keep planning for an interregional transit service along Highway 99.
