Transit System: Salt Spring Island
SALT SPRING ISLAND – What a difference a year makes! On July 1,
2011 expansion hours went in to effect on Salt Spring Island. BC Transit, in
conjunction with the CRD, altered transit schedules to better coordinate with
ferry traffic; plus evening, weekend and statutory holiday service hours were
added. The response from our customers on Salt Spring Island has been overwhelming.
Ridership on Salt Spring Island has increased by 29% over the past twelve months.
We’ve grown our customer base from 63,649 trips in 2010/2011 to 81,787
rides in 2011/12.
“Salt Spring residents asked for and received expanded transit service,”
said Murray Coell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “The dramatic
rise in ridership demonstrates that Salt Spring is a community ready to embrace
transit as a better alternative to the single passenger vehicle.”
“We look forward to another year of cementing our strong working relationship
with BC Transit while continuing to build ridership,” said Wayne McIntyre
CRD Director, Salt Spring Island. “Expanding our bus service on the island
helps us to reduce the use of fossil fuels and contribute to the CRD regional
goal of reducing GHG emissions by 33% below 2007 levels by 2020.”
“On Salt Spring Island we appreciate the excellent support given to us
by BC Transit. The effort to make our bus service a success has been a wholly
collaborative one,” said Salt Spring Island Transportation Commission Chair
Donald McLennan. “The community on Salt Spring and the SSI Transportation
Commission offer BC Transit our heartfelt thanks and our every appreciation.”
“We would like to thank our customers, government partners and our Salt
Spring Island operator for a record-setting year in ridership,” said Mike
Davis BC Transit Chief Operating Officer. “Transit works best when it reflects
the needs of the communities we so proudly serve.”
On July 1, 2012 BC Transit and the CRD are introducing a $5 Day Pass that is
available at approved vendors on Salt Spring Island.
Cash fares are going up by $.25 to $2.25 for adults, seniors and youth. A sheet
of ten tickets will cost $20.25 up from the current price of $15.
There is no increase in the cost of monthly passes. They are still $50 per
month for adults and $40 for seniors/students.
Media Contact:
Meribeth Burton
Corporate Spokesperson | BC Transit
d: 250.995.5720
c: 250.507.8145
meribeth_burton@bctransit.com
www.bctransit.com
