COMOX VALLEY – The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) and BC Transit are inviting the public to get on board with the region’s 25-year Transit Future Plan.
From June 25 to July 2, 2013 BC Transit is bringing the ‘Transit Future Bus’ to various locations throughout the CVRD to connect with community members about area-specific transit needs, priorities and concerns.
The 40-foot decommissioned bus has been transformed in to an interactive public consultation tool. Interactive components on the bus include an iPad station, a Kids’ Zone and a Post-It note board.
The first stop on the Comox Valley tour is at the regularly scheduled CVRD Board meeting on June 25. Elected officials, the media and board meeting spectators are invited to take the initial look at the bus and give their feedback.
The Transit Future Bus gives Comox Valley residents the opportunity to help shape the future of their regional transit system,” said Comox Valley MLA Don McRae. “B.C. Transit is committed to working with the Comox Valley Regional District and residents to improve transit services for families and communities.”
The Transit Future Plan will complement and support the findings of the Comox Valley Regional Growth Strategy. The strategy, developed in 2010, cites transit ridership growth as a key objective in future CVRD transportation planning.
“As our region grows, there are more and more reasons to make transit a viable option for getting around,” said Edwin Grieve, CVRD board chair. “Whether to get to school, to work, to an appointment or just to the beach, we need to ensure that transit is meeting the needs of our residents. BC Transit is committed to listening to users – and potential users – of the system, and we encourage everyone who has something to say to take this opportunity to do so.”
The Transit Future Team will be travelling with the bus to listen to the public and learn more about transit needs in the Comox Valley. The team will also be available to answer questions.
“In order for BC Transit to succeed for decades to come, we must listen to what our customers want and need,” said BC Transit Vice-President & CIO Brian Anderson. “By bringing the ‘Transit Future Bus’ to popular community events and destinations in the Comox Valley, we receive direct input from our riders on how to best grow a regional transit system we can all take pride in.”
TRANSIT FUTURE BUS’ SCHEDULE:
| June 27, 2013 | IHOS Gallery (3310 Comox Rd) | 10:00am – 12:30pm |
| June 27, 2013 | Downtown Courtenay (4th and Cliffe Ave.) | 2 pm – 5 pm |
| June 28, 2013 | Comox Quality Foods (Guthrie Rd, Comox) | 9:30 am – 11:30 am |
| June 28, 2013 | Union Bay (downtown) | 1 pm – 3 pm |
| June 28, 2013 | Buckley Bay Ferry Terminal | 4:30 pm – 7 pm |
| June 29, 2013 | Comox Valley Farmers Market | 9 am — noon |
| June 29, 2013 | Crown Isle Mall (Thrifty’s entrance) | 2 pm – 4 pm |
| June 30, 2013 | Comox Centre Mall | 10 am – 12:30 pm |
| June 30, 2013 | Cumberland (4th and Dunsmuir) | 2 pm – 4 pm |
| July 1, 2013 | Canada Day Celebration (Lewis Park) | 11 am – 4 pm |
| July 2, 2013 | Driftwood Mall | noon – 2 pm |
| July 2, 2013 | Oyster River (2207 Glenmore Rd.) | 4 pm – 6:30 pm |
Media Contacts:
Meribeth Burton
BC Transit Corporate Spokesperson
Phone: 250.995.5720
Cell: 250.507.8145
Michael Zbarsky
Comox Valley Regional District
Manager, transit & sustainability
Phone: 250.334.6037