9623 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

The schedule previews are up. Mostly looks like routes were running too quick so this is fixing that? Pretty much everything I checked is either starting later but ending at the same time or starting at the same time and ending earlier. 

 

that's almost the way to read the initial blurb.

[Cats4Hire]

that's almost the way to read the initial blurb.

the blurb didn't say if the issue was buses running too fast or too slow for the schedule just that they weren't running on time.

[Mike K.]

🚌BC Transit endorses “Transit” smartphone app for real-time bus scheduling and route information🚌

To improve the transit experience for customers, BC Transit is pleased to announce Transit as our endorsed mobility app.

Transit is available for use in 18 BC Transit systems. Transit utilizes our real-time technology on buses in seven communities, in addition to crowd-sourcing through the app, to provide trip information to customers.

Upon launching the app, BC Transit riders see nearby options and departure times in big text and bright colours. Users can easily navigate the region, aided by accurate real-time bus ETAs, trip planning, step-by-step navigation, and crowdsourced real-time information with Transit’s GO feature.

The introduction of Transit as our endorsed mobility app supports our other customer service channels including NextRide (where available), information on bctransit.com, printed information, and our customer call centres. BC Transit’s partnership with Transit offers a comprehensive, easy-to-use and widely-adopted app for riders.

Under this agreement, BC Transit will also receive anonymized usage data to improve our planning processes and customizations to better serve the public, such as the ability to send important information directly to riders via Transit’s home screen.

To download the Transit app, head to the app store and search for “transit.”

[Cats4Hire]

Nice. I've never used the app but I know people who have and really like it. While it's not super useful here anymore one of them really liked the crowd sourced bus tracking option. It was only really useful for riding popular routes at busy times though.

[Brantastic]

I use the app all the time. It's very easy to use but can sometimes be wildly off. I usually run into troubles with the 6 specifically. I'm not sure if it's because of the 6, 6A, and 6B, but it rarely even close to correct with this particular route, especially at the Royal Oak Exchange. Usually, it will tell me the next 6 is like 36 minutes away, and the one after that is over an hour away, even though this bus comes every 10 minutes. It's really frustrating. Otherwise it's a very user-friendly app. I always thought it was weird that NextRide was a website and not a more mobile-friendly app.

[Mike K.]

Battery Electric Bus Request for Proposals Released


BC Transit is pleased to be proceeding with the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for our first 10 battery electric heavy-duty buses. Heavy-duty buses are the regular 40’ transit buses you see in communities across the province.
We’re excited to take this step after gathering responses from industry through a formal Request for Information that is supporting and informing the continued project and program development.
The RFP will allow BC Transit the option of purchasing more heavy-duty battery electric buses, along with the associated infrastructure, from the successful proponents to support the replacement and expansion of the heavy duty fleet.
The procurement of these 10 battery electric buses will help us on our path to:
Exceed the Province of BC’s greenhouse gas reduction targets;
Never buying further diesel heavy-duty buses;
Buying only zero-emission buses in all fleet classifications after 2028; and
Having a fully zero-emission provincial fleet by 2040.
To ensure we are moving forward with a procurement that provides the highest degree of value and success, we are anticipating the first 10 battery electric buses to be in Victoria as of the summer of 2022.
More details about the outcome of the RFP will be available in 2021 once the process concludes.
The 10 battery electric buses are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of BC, and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission.
Meanwhile, work continues to replace end-of-life diesel buses in the Victoria fleet with new cleaner, more efficient Compressed Natural Gas buses. This process will also take place in the Central Fraser Valley in early 2021.

[Mike K.]

Victoria celebrates 20 years of double decker buses

VICTORIA – This year marks the 20th anniversary of double decker buses in the Victoria Regional Transit System. BC Transit is acknowledging the impact of these buses on the region, and the forthcoming retirement of the first 10 that entered service, with a number of planned activities.

 

On August 1, 2000, 10 double deckers rolled into service and since then, have collectively logged more than 11 million kilometres. These were the first double decker transit buses in North America and BC Transit now has 67 in the fleet, providing safe, reliable and efficient travel for people across the region.

 

The original 10 are nearing retirement and to celebrate these iconic buses and to tell their story, BC Transit has produced a video series called Tales from the Top Deck, which will be shared on social media over the next two weeks.

One of the original buses will also soon hit the streets in the original design and colour scheme, giving riders the chance to step back in time and relish the rich history of double decker buses in the Victoria Regional Transit System.

The retiring buses will be replaced by new double deckers early in 2021.

 

To learn more about BC Transit’s double decker buses and 20th anniversary, visit www.bctransit.com/doubledecker20

 

Quotes

“A strong public transit system gets people where they need to go. Not only are Greater Victoria’s double deckers iconic – and fun to ride – their increased capacity gets more people out of their cars. Congratulations to BC Transit and Victoria Regional Transit Authority on this milestone.”

Rob Fleming – Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

 

“These double deckers have meant a lot to BC Transit employees and to the people that have used them to move throughout the region over the last 20 years. These original 10 buses have certainly earned their retirement. They have changed the face of transit in Greater Victoria and we are thrilled to celebrate their legacy.”

Aaron Lamb, Vice President, Asset Management and Chief Sustainability Officer

 

“When the double deckers entered service 20 years ago, we knew they would be great high capacity buses that could get more customers where they needed to be. What we didn’t realize was how much the community would fall in love with them. The double decker bus has become part of the fabric of Victoria and now it’s hard to imagine this city and region without them.”

Susan Brice, Chair, Victoria Regional Transit Commission

[Cats4Hire]

One of the original buses will also soon hit the streets in the original design and colour scheme, giving riders the chance to step back in time and relish the rich history of double decker buses in the Victoria Regional Transit System.

 

 

Interesting. Would have been neat if all 10 were but I guess painting 10 buses that will be retired in a few months isn't the best use of money. 

[Mike K.]

A worker at the Langford transit centre has tested positive for the COVID.

[Victoria Watcher]

The annual Stuff the Bus event that was announced this morning has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BC Transit says the cancellation is to ensure continued alignment with public health orders.

“We understand the importance of donations this time of year and although the event is cancelled, we encourage people to reach out directly to our official partners…on alternate donation options,” said BC Transit in a press release.


https://www.cheknews...ovid-19-722210/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 03 December 2020 - 04:53 PM.

[Mike K.]

🔹Feds, province announce funding for provincial transit agencies, BC Ferries🔹

The Government of Canada and the Province of BC have announced funding for transit and ferry operations in the province to the tune of over $1 billion.

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming says funding will assist BC Transit, BC Ferries and Translink. The funding, described as re-start funding, will support sailing schedules and transit operations during this a period of significant ridership reductions and revenue shortfalls due to COVID-19.

[Victoria Watcher]

i can support that.  it would be regressive if transit had to cut back service in order to recover.

 

bc ferries mostly likewise.  we don't want to ruin tourist seasons to come by cutting back sailings to lesser islands. 

[Mike K.]

Right. The hardships that that would create would be far more damaging to the economy than the investments being made.

I found the most interesting news in that release was Fleming stepping up to Minister of Transportation. I had not caught on to that.

[Victoria Watcher]

Though it is still advising everyone to avoid non-essential travel, B.C. Ferries has added some extra sailings over the holiday season to deal with expected increased demand.

 

B.C. Ferries has added 24 sailings to its winter schedule between Dec. 18 and Jan. 3 to handle increased commercial traffic and people who still need to travel.

 

 

https://www.timescol...ings-1.24255229

[Nparker]

BC Ferries or BC Transit?

[Victoria Watcher]

There will be no free rides aboard city buses on New Year’s Eve this year.

B.C. Transit said in a statement it is continuing to follow the guidance of the provincial health officer and WorkSafe B.C to provide the safest possible service for customers and drivers.


https://www.timescol...-eve-1.24256852


I guess bars are not open until midnight anyway anymore. and there is to be no house parties.

[Cats4Hire]

Service change on Jan 4. Mostly adjusting schedules to better meet school bell times (specifically callout 35, 52, 59, 60 but other routes listed in the pdf) https://www.bctransi...service-changes

[pontcanna]

Transit bus in single vehicle mishap @  Highway 1 and Leigh...apparently the driver was the only one aboard. No word on injuries.

 

 

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[Cats4Hire]

Interesting video I saw of CBC's report when BC Transit first got double deckers. Did the tourist operators thought people only used their service (I assume the tours) to be on a double decker bus? Seems like a weird worry https://www.youtube....h?v=qtc7X0uGV3A

[Mike K.]

I saw the vintage decker bus today!