BC Transit and the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) are announcing some significant improvements to the transit system, effective January 5, 2025.
More service will be added to routes across the system with the addition of six heavy-duty buses as they become available.
As part of this service change, the RDN and BC Transit will be increasing service levels and modifying some key routes – including changing some route names and numbers.
Route 50 Woodgrove/Downtown will become the1 Nanaimo Rapid Line. There will be improved frequency on this route to reflect growing ridership.
Route 1 Downtown/Country Club will become the 72 Downtown/Country Club.
Route 91 Intercity (Qualicum Beach/Woodgrove) will be renamed the 9 Intercity Line. This route will have additional trips and improved connections to the Route 1 Nanaimo Rapid Line.
Route 11 Lantzville will become the 31 Lantzville. This route will extend further on Lantzville Road and serve the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation. Direct service on McGirr Rd. to Dover Bay Secondary will be discontinued, but key connections with the Route 20 Hammond Bay/Dover will be established. Buses will run every 60 minutes during weekday peak times with service running later into the evening.
Please review the most recent Rider’s Guide for all the changes.
This service expansion has been made possible by an increase in local government and provincial funding. The operating grant provided in the 2024-25 provincial budget will allow BC Transit and its local government partners to continue to provide safe and reliable service and demonstrates that public transit remains a priority in our communities.
For more information about trip planning, schedules and to sign up for customer alerts, please visit bctransit.com/nanaimo
Media Contacts
BC Transit Communications
media@bctransit.com
