Transit System: Cowichan Valley
LADYSMITH – The Government of British Columbia, the Town of Ladysmith,
the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) and BC Transit are pleased to announce
BC Transit services are coming to Ladysmith in the fall of 2013.
Ladysmith joins the Cowichan Valley Regional Transit System. Local transit
in Ladysmith will replace the existing trolley service with two 20-passenger
community buses and provide 3,000 service hours per year. An additional 1,100
annual service hours will also be included in the expansion to connect Ladysmith
with Chemainus and the rest of the Cowichan Valley Regional Transit System.
“The growing community of Ladysmith will certainly benefit from the new
transit service,” said Parksville-Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon. “Starting
next fall, families can hop on a bus to get to their destination, connecting
them to work, school and recreational activities faster and easier than ever
before.”
As Ladysmith moves forward with BC Transit, it will not forget the past or
the Town’s Heritage by the Sea motto. The Ladysmith trolley will continue
to play a role in community celebrations including the annual Ladysmith Festival
of Lights.
“Ladysmith is the largest community in B.C. yet to be serviced by BC Transit,”
stated Mayor Rob Hutchins. “This is an opportunity to provide Ladysmith
residents with fully accessible vehicles and transit connections to communities
south. We look forward to future partnerships with the Nanaimo Regional District
to establish inter-regional transit service to the north.”
Ladysmith joins one of BC Transit’s fastest growing transit systems, the
Cowichan Valley. Ridership on local transit grew by 13.8 per cent in the Cowichan
Valley in 2011/12 compared to the previous year. The Cowichan Valley Commuter
to Victoria also saw incredible ridership growth, up 29.2 per cent in 2011/12
compared to 2010/11.
“We are very appreciative of the support from the Province for this initiative,
as it will expand the Cowichan Valley Regional Transit Network to the Town of
Ladysmith. This expansion further supports the CVRD’s Transit Future Plan
vision of connecting people and communities through cost-effective, convenient,
safe and accessible transit services”, said CVRD Transit Committee Chair
Ian Morrison.
The arrival of BC Transit in Ladysmith comes following a comprehensive public
consultation process to develop a 25-year Transit Future Plan for the region.
Adding Ladysmith to the regional transit system was a key recommendation of
the plan.
“We are pleased to be partnering with Ladysmith to provide BC Transit
service to the island community,” said BC Transit President and CEO Manuel
Achadinha. “This service will connect Ladysmith residents to their work,
friends and other community destinations on BC Transit.”
For more information, please consult www.bctransit.com/regions/cow
Media Contacts:
Meribeth Burton
BC Transit Corporate Spokesperson
250.995.5720
Jim Wakeham
Manager,Facilities,Fleet and Transit Management
Engineering and Environmental Services Department
Cowichan Valley Regional District
250.746.2549
Monika Weatherly
Communications Officer,
Government Caucus of British Columbia
Email: Monika.Weatherly@leg.bc.ca
Phone: 250.356.0389
Cell: 250.686.0014
