History
In 2018, BC Transit completed a transit feasibility study. The feasibility study was approved by the ACRD (Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District) Board with direction given to BC Transit to proceed with the detailed planning work for the implementation of a fixed route conventional transit service between Tofino, Ucluelet and the Hitacu First Nation community.
Public engagement was held in the spring of 2019 and feedback for the new transit service was positive. The ACRD, through an Alternate Approval Process, adopted Bylaw E1062 in December 2019 to establish and deliver a public transit service to serve residents of Tofino, Ucluelet, Long Beach, and the First Nation communities of Toquaht, Yuulu?it?ath Government, Hitacu, Esowista and Ty-histanis.
The ACRD approved the West Coast Transit Service Plan in June 2020, which confirmed routing, frequency of service and updated cost estimates. The draft Service Plan identified that 7500 annual service hours and 5 light duty vehicles were required to provide the specified level of service.
BC Transit and the ACRD have identified this service through BC Transit’s Transit Improvement Program, which confirms the local government investment so BC Transit can proceed to secure funding within the Provincial Budget.