BC Transit and local government partners in the Comox Valley Transit System are building five new transit exchanges that will improve transit services in the Comox Valley. The joint investment of $8.8 million between the Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia, Comox Valley Regional District, and BC Transit will fund enhanced bus stop amenities to improve the overall rider experience. These exchanges support the continued development of the Frequent Transit Network corridor and Local Transit Network through the growing communities in the Comox Valley.
The new transit exchanges will be developed in:
South Courtenay – Cliffe Avenue at Anfield Centre
Downtown Courtenay – England Avenue at 8th Street
Oyster River – Glenmore Road at Lambeth Road
Downtown Comox – Port Augusta Street at Comox Avenue – construction paused, see details below
North Island College – College Campus Road at Lerwick Road – new exchange now open
What is a transit exchange?
A transit exchange is a group of bus stops in one place making it easier for people to transfer between bus routes.
Each exchange may feature:
New Bus bays and curbs
New shelters and benches
Drainage improvements
Bike racks
New wider sidewalks
New landscaping
Road reconstruction
An operators’ washroom (South Courtenay Exchange)
The design will align with Security Achieved through Functional Environmental (SAFE) Design standards and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) as required by BC Transit.
Rendering of the future transit exchange on England Avenue in downtown Courtenay
Above is another example of how a transit exchange looks and functions
Impacts:
During construction, local access will be maintained with possible delays. We thank the public for their patience during the construction period as we work to deliver these essential transit infrastructure upgrades.
Construction Updates and Project Timeline
Downtown Comox transit exchange construction postponed
Work on the new transit exchange in downtown Comox that started in September 2025 has been delayed. When possible archaeological material was discovered during excavation work earlier this month, BC Transit followed the standard cultural heritage protection protocol. While the archaeological remediation will be completed shortly, the weather will be too cold to complete concrete work until the spring.
BC Transit is working collaboratively with the Ministry of Forests’ Archaeology Branch and K’ómoks First Nation to secure permitting and ensure all Ministry protocols are followed. It’s anticipated that construction work will be delayed until Spring 2026.
The construction area at Port Augusta Street and Comox Avenue has been temporarily repaved and the sidewalk and street has been reopened for pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
During this time, transit customers are asked to use alternative bus stops at Beaufort Avenue at Wilcox Street for route 3 and Comox Avenue for routes 1 & 4 and continue to look for signage and check for customer alerts that will advise of any changes or delays to routes. BC Transit apologizes for the inconvenience and will provide updates in the coming weeks.
BC Transit and the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) are pleased to announce the completion of the North Island College transit exchange. The new exchange is located on College Campus Road, between the Comox Valley Aquatic Centre and the North Island Hospital. Construction is now substantially complete and the exchange will be open for use starting Monday January 12.
The construction contract was awarded to a company from Campbell River, Wacor Holdings Ltd., and construction started in late August. Additional lighting and final landscaping will be installed in the coming months. The North Island College exchange increases bus capacity, improves customer experience, and enhances the safety of the area.
In total, four locations in the CVRD – south Courtenay, downtown Courtenay, downtown Comox, and North Island College – as well as Oyster River in the Strathcona Regional District will receive upgrades and new transit exchanges. Each exchange will include concrete bus bays that can accommodate heavy-duty buses. Upgrades also include improvements to pedestrian and road infrastructure, new bike racks, and new larger bus shelters.
Since the announcement of the funding, BC Transit, the CVRD and the local municipalities have been engaging key stakeholders and refining exchange designs. These fivenew transit exchanges were announced in February 2024 with $8.8 million in funding from the Government of Canada, Province of BC and the CVRD. “
Once completed, the project will enhance customer experience and enable future service improvements and growing ridership.
Downtown Courtenay ExchangeTimeline
Transit Exchanges
South Courtenay Exchange
The preferred site is on Cliffe Avenue next to the Anfield Centre.
Features:
Bus bays
Bus shelters
Transit operators respite facility
New sidewalk
Downtown Courtenay Exchange
The preferred site is around the 8th Street and England Avenue intersection.
Features:
Bus bays
Bus shelters
New sidewalks
Oyster River Exchange
The preferred site is located on Glenmore Road.
Features:
Bus bays
Bus shelters
Downtown Comox Exchange
The preferred site is on the east side of Port Augusta Street in the Town of Comox.
Features:
Bus bays
Bus shelters
Improvements to the Comox Avenue/Port August Street westbound right-turn
North Island College Campus Exchange
The preferred site is on College Campus Road.
Features:
Bus bays
Bus shelters
Improved pedestrian connectivity
Documents
These projects are supported by Municipal plans including:
A transit exchange is a group of bus stops in one place making it easier for people to change routes. Transit exchanges make it convenient for anyone needing to transfer to another route and are typically placed in areas where many people want to go such as shopping areas and universities. Transit exchanges are designed to be safe spaces that are well-lit to reduce the risk of crime.
These exchanges will help expand transit services in the region and align with the 2014 Comox Valley Transit Future Plan, further developed through the 2021 Comox Valley Transit Infrastructure Study. This investment will support the region’s future transit network, accommodate increased service levels, and improve the overall customer experience.
The transit exchanges will be designed to meet Security Achieved through Functional Environmental (SAFE) Design standards, as required by BC Transit.
They are also designed to meet Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles and best practices for designing safe and comfortable public spaces:
Increased usage from transit passengers will activate the space and that can make it safer.
Enhanced security items will be implemented to deter off-hours gathering.
Upgraded and attractive lighting can also be integrated at transit exchanges and within all open spaces to enhance safety, visibility, and public experience.
Businesses in the area will still have a way for deliveries and services to reach them. How these deliveries and services get to the businesses might change depending on construction plans; specific routes will be determined as the project progresses.
The project team will continue to consult directly with local businesses with respect to their operational needs.
The sites were selected by considering:
Feasibility – the availability of a site large enough for a transit exchange
Rider Experience – this includes pedestrian connections to the sites, amenities available around the sites, and connectivity to bus routes and stop locations.
Local Government Plans – Alignment with local government plans.
Community – the impacts to adjacent buildings and tenants was considered as well as changes to parking in the area selected.
Cost – the financial implications of the construction costs as well as operating costs of the bus routes.
Maintaining existing trees will be a priority.
Existing trees will be assessed during the detailed design phase.
Construction is planned to begin in Summer 2025 and be completed for all sites in Fall 2026.
During construction, the public can expect some traffic impacts and possible delays. Local access will be maintained. We thank the public for their patience during the construction period as we work to deliver these essential transit infrastructure upgrades.
The overall project cost is $8.8 million between the Government of Canada (40%), Province of British Columbia (40%), Comox Valley Regional District (20%), and BC Transit will fund enhanced bus stop amenities to improve the overall rider experience.
This project has been funded by federal, provincial and municipal funding partners; The Comox Valley Regional District is responsible for providing 20% of the investment required
BC Transit will establish maintenance agreements with the municipalities and local governments responsible for the road maintenance.
Land Acknowledgement
BC Transit respectfully acknowledges that the land we gather on is on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.
