Transit System: Cowichan Valley
COWICHAN VALLEY – BC Transit and the Cowichan Valley Regional District
are delighted to announce ridership on the conventional service is on the rise
– up 13.8% over last year. In its Annual Report, BC Transit celebrated
the Cowichan Valley as a market leader in rides with 362,389 in 2011/12 as compared
with 318,506 in 2010/11. Plus the Cowichan Valley Commuter service to Victoria
is also up 29% with 79,807 trips in 2011/12 compared with 62,119 trips counted
in 2010/11.
With the addition of 2,000 service hours in May 2011 and 2,500 more service
hours in February 2012, BC Transit is responding to the growing need for transit
in the Cowichan Valley. A new service was started with route #5 Eagle Heights,
schedule improvements were made to various routes, more trips have been added
and service hours have been extended on many routes. The installation of 27
bus shelters may have also contributed to the increase in ridership.
“The Cowichan Valley is a dynamic transit district,” said BC Transit
President & CEO Manuel Achadinha. “By adding service hours and extra
runs on our most populated routes; BC Transit is working hard to be customer-friendly
and convenient for the local community.”
“With the expansion of service, improved schedule reliability and improved
connectivity to Duncan and other communities of the region, Cowichan residents
have demonstrated increasing satisfaction with the value of service,” said
CVRD Board Chair Rob Hutchins.
“I am very pleased that ridership has increased so significantly. Cowichan
residents have responded to taxpayer investments in the Cowichan Valley Transit
by choosing a reliable, safe, green and affordable transportation option,”
said Ian Morrison, Chair of the CVRD Transit Committee.
For information on routes, schedules and fares, call the local operator of
Cowichan Valley Regional Transit at 250.746.9899 or visit www.bctransit.com.
Media Contact:
Meribeth Burton
Corporate Spokesperson | BC Transit
d: 250.995.5720
c: 250.507.8145
meribeth_burton@bctransit.com
www.bctransit.com
