Transit System: Cowichan Valley
Cowichan Valley – One year into the service, transit route 44 – the Saturday express service between Duncan and Downtown Victoria — is proving popular with Cowichan and South Island residents.
“We are committed to making BC Transit service more convenient for people, including adding new routes where possible,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena. “It’s great to see so many residents in the Cowichan Valley taking advantage of Route 44, and I encourage everyone to get out of their cars and take transit.”
Route 44 provides three daily round trips between the two regions and complements the successful weekday Cowichan Valley Commuter service launched in 2008. In its first year, the Saturday service carried a total of more than 3500 customers: an average of approximately 68 per day.
“With the Saturday Route 44 service, we’ve been able to increase transit ridership at a fairly low cost,” said CVRD Board Chair Ian Morrison. “We’re pleased to have a viable public transit option to connect the Cowichan Valley and Victoria.”
Route 44 leaves Village Green Mall at 9:17 a.m., 12:24 p.m. and 3:36 p.m., with stops at Duncan Train Station, Valleyview Park & Ride and Lodgepole at Frayne, and in the Victoria area at Highway 1 at Helmcken, Douglas at Boleskine, Douglas at Finlayson and Government at Superior. Return trips leave Government at Superior at 10:47 a.m., 1:59 p.m. and 5:11 p.m. The fare is $10 cash, and children aged 4 and younger ride free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
“We launched the service after a significant number of Cowichan Valley residents told us they wanted affordable transportation options to Greater Victoria on the weekend, and we also received inquiries from people in Greater Victoria about transit options to the Cowichan Valley,” adds Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit’s Chief Executive Officer and President. “With ridership steadily increasing on the route 44, this is proving to be a worthwhile investment.”
For more information on schedules, routes, and fares, please visit BCTransit.com/Cowichan-Valley or call 250-746-9899
Media Contact:
Jonathon Dyck
BC Transit Communications Manager
media@bctransit.com
250-995-5720
