Victoria – The Victoria Regional Transit Commission and BC Transit are pleased to announce fall service changes. The changes include the introduction of two new routes, the opening of the Westhills Exchange, and improvements to frequency and on-time performance.
The fall service will also introduce 20,000 new service hours to the system and eight new buses to the fleet to improve overall service.
Key service improvements for 2017 include:
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Introduction of new route 43 Royal Roads to serve the Belmont Park Community and Royal Roads University
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Introduction of new route 46 Dockyard/Westhills with service between Westhills and Dockyard
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Introduction of Westhills Exchange at the YMCA in Langford
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General improvements to on-time performance.
The service expansion was made possible through funding from the Province of B.C. and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC).
“Investing in service expansion means more opportunities for people to choose public transit,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “These service and infrastructure improvements will be of great benefit to residents of Greater Victoria.”
“Partnerships are key to making transit successful, and this is evident in the expansion that will benefit customers as we roll out fall service this year,” said Susan Brice, Chair of the VRTC. “The introduction of the new service hours addresses needs expressed by customers, and we look forward to continuing to work towards future expansion.”
“We are committed to delivering an efficient and effective transit system that better connects people to the community,” said Manuel Achadinha, BC Transit President and Chief Executive Officer. “Improving our service and adding service hours will help our existing customers and encourage more people to take transit, which helps build a more sustainable future.”
In addition to the expansion, as of September 5, full service will be reinstated on routes serving high schools, the University of Victoria, Camosun College and Royal Roads University. These routes are:
2/2A Oak Bay/Willows/ Downtown
4 UVic/Downtown
7 UVic/Downtown
8 Interurban/Oak Bay
12 UVic/University Heights
13 Ten Mile Point/UVic
14 UVic/Vic General
15 UVic/Esquimalt
16 UVic/Uptown
17 UVic/Downtown
19 Hillside Mall
21 Interurban/Downtown
22 Vic General-Watkiss/ Hillside Mall
26 Dockyard/UVic
27 Gordon Head/ Downtown/Beacon Hill
35 Ridge/Royal Oak
39 UVic/Royal Roads
50 Langford/Downtown
51 Langford/UVic
55 Happy Valley
57 Thetis Heights/ Westhills
59 Triangle Mountain
60 Wishart
The level of service on these routes is adjusted in the summer months when demand traditionally declines. The seasonal service reductions allow BC Transit to provide more service hours during the fall and winter.
For more information on routes, fares, schedules and more, please call 250-382-6161 or visit BCTransit.com/Victoria.
Media Contact
Jonathon Dyck
BC Transit
Communications Manager
250-995-5720
media@bctransit.com
