9626 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Isn’t there already a stop there past the intersection?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 January 2022 - 05:17 PM.

[Cats4Hire]

Isn’t there already a stop there past the intersection?

no stops on PatBay between Sayward and McTavish. If that's the reason that makes a lot more sense

[Victoria Watcher]

Oh I always thought there was a stop there. I think even the PCL had a stop there.

Yes, it should have one.

[James Bay walker]

Hey!!  I actually caught a bus with its windows (all 4 of them in the passenger section!) open this week.

 

Hoping this is becoming a thing, bus drivers opening up their vehicles windows for their own and the passengers' safety, deadly worldwide airborne plaque wise.

 

jbw

Edited by James Bay walker, 12 February 2022 - 11:27 AM.

[Mike K.]

It was sort of warm, no?

[Cats4Hire]

Apparently something happened on a bus on Saanich near Uptown? Someone on Facebook reports a lot of police and ambulance in the BMO parking lot and what looked like a body bag being taken out of the bus into one of the ambulances. Didn't mention anything else. 

[Vin]

Why not just tap with a credit card?

Fares charged using credit card is more than using the Compass Card. Also you can't transfer within the 1.5hr limit using a credit card as there is no way to track your movement. 

[Cats4Hire]

Meeting documents are live.

Upcoming service changes

 

April: Regular UVic/Camosun route reduction, 3/10 scheduling and route changes to better align with demand

June: Extend 24/25 to Tillicum Mall, streamline 11 (I assume turns directly between Tillicum/Gorge rather than Obed and all that), Swartz Bay and 75 service increase, regular school route cancellations

September: School resumes, West Shore Rapidbus implemented (including the proposed 61 changes which I believe was have it run between downtown and Sooke all day rather than interline with 50)

January: Westshore restructure, improvements to frequent transit network (now seems to include 4, 6, 11, 14, 15, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 50 (note: 11 and 30/31 already meet the 15 minute or better 7-7 Monday-Friday requirement so idk why they weren't here already, looks like they're removing the "rapid" signifier that the 16 15, 50, 70 currently use likely to remove confusion) Also both 16 and 76 absent from their list of routes so I'm guessing both are just axed now.

Peninsula Transit Future document (maps available) https://www.bctransi...s/1529716129754

 

Short term

New bus operating every 15 minutes between Mactavish and airport to connect with the rapidbus

Increase in 39 and 70/72 service for UVic/Camosun connections 

Some 85 trips will interline with 71, scheduling altered to better transfer with 70/72

81 extended to serve Keating Cross and Tanner Ridge

Medium Term

70 to every 30 minutes and eventually every 15

71 service increase

75 off-peak increase

New facilities at Swartz Bay

Westshore (maps available) https://www.bctransi...s/1529716130046

 

Short Term

Rapidbus introduced

61/50 separation 

Significant restructure of local routes to better connect with Rapidbus

New route servicing Skirt Mountain and Langford Exchange

New route to Fort Rodd Hill, 6 trips a day, weekends only and possibly summer weekdays

Evening/Night Rapidbus improvements

Medium Term

Rapidbus extension to Belmont Market

51 extension to Westhills

make 52 Frequent route

adjusting local routes based on demand from previous adjustment 

64 extension, replace 55 

Royal Bay, Belmont Market, Millstream, Westshore Parkway (to support a 46 extension) terminuses either being established or improved

New park and rides

UMO https://www.bctransi...s/1529716133056

 

Seems to use QR code technology

New app mixes in NextRide and phone payment (if you wish), includes push notifications if there's a service update

reloadable cards available everywhere that currently sells bus passes

Website allows you to track how much funds you have on app or card, see history, add funds

"fare capping" feature, you tap your card but won't be charged more than a daypass (they don't give a price likely because that's different all around the province)

Credit card rolling out first then debit and mobile wallet

fare validator accepts open loop credit and tap debit payments (no pin pad for your pin), sound for either approval or decline

Upass and Propass will continue to be offered

Installation set to start in early to mid summer with a pilot program starting in that period before full rollout in fall for mobile app and reloadable card with credit card coming in 2023

Plans on transit facilities in the region https://www.bctransi...s/1529716133686

There's some ridership data for every route here https://www.bctransi...s/1529716134538

[Nparker]

If they ever lift the mask restrictions, I may one day ride on public transit again.

[Mike K.]

Cats, you have no idea how appreciated this is. Thank you for the break-down.

[James Bay walker]

A few weeks ago, a BC Transit 'poll' concerning their bus service in the Western Communities ended.  I'd tried participating but was screened out by my home's postal code (and did not feel inclined to fib).

 

I gotta wonder, if they're trying to 'improve service', why would they not want input from those wishing to go to and from the Western Communities from major areas like Victoria City and the like.  You know, to reduce the 'Colwood Crawl' bit on the highways and cut back somewhat all those using cars.

 

I go out to the Western Communities on occasion, BUT, I'd go much more frequently for shopping if they finetuned their bus service slightly.  My pet peeve is it's easy to get there from Victoria without changing buses, but no small challenge to figure out how to return / which bus to catch / and you typically need to change buses along the way back.  agh!!

 

jbw

 

ps.  Sayyyy, last week I caught a bus were there was actually a Bus Driver who had his bus vehicle's windows all OPEN.  Wow!!!! Much appreciated, deadly airborne plague wise.

[Cats4Hire]

New route starting March 28 to connect Duncan and Nanaimo. 7 trips Monday to Friday and 6 on Saturday, 8 stops. 1 way is $7.50 https://www.bctransi...d=1529716313589

[Mike K.]

So technically, it will now be possible to connect from Victoria to Qualicum via BC Transit?

 

The first afternoon departure from Victoria to Duncan may not meet up with one of the weekday's seven runs in Duncan to Nanaimo, but the Victoria connection ends where the Nanaimo connection begins. So here's hoping they align at least one of the runs with the Victoria connection.

 

Here's the release from the link above:

 

BC Transit, the Regional District of Nanaimo and the Cowichan Valley Regional District are announcing the launch of a new route that will provide customers with safe, reliable transit service between downtown Nanaimo and downtown Duncan.

 

Beginning March 28, the Route 70 NCX Nanaimo-Cowichan Express will provide seven round trips per day Monday through Friday and six trips on Saturdays. Buses will stop at the following eight locations:

 

Downtown Nanaimo Exchange
Nanaimo South Parkway Plaza
Nanaimo Airport
1st Avenue at Highway 1 in Ladysmith
Drinkwater Rd. at Cowichan Commons
Beverly Street at Duncan Street near Vancouver Island University
Duncan Train Station
Village Green Mall in Duncan

 

BC Transit and its local government partners will closely monitor the Route 70 NCX Nanaimo-Cowichan Express to ensure this new limited-stop service meets demand.

 

As determined by the Regional District of Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley Regional District, a one-way fare for this route will cost $7.50. Monthly passes will also be available at participating vendor locations, and all tickets and fare products for this route will be available for purchase beginning March 15 for April passes that can be used starting March 28. 

 

A list of participating vendors and a detailed preview schedule for the Route 70 NCX Nanaimo-Cowichan Express will also be available on March 14 so customers can begin trip planning.

[Nparker]

So technically, it will now be possible to connect from Victoria to Qualicum via BC Transit?...

[Mike K.]

Check that, you will be able to connect!

 

Every run from Victoria to Duncan will have at least two connections, with the last run from Victoria connecting with the last run to Nanaimo! Same thing for the AM runs south, two of which from Nanaimo will connect all the way to Victoria.

 

So any of the daily four 66 runs to Duncan will get you to Nanaimo, now! Super cool.

[Mike K.]

BCT says Next Ride is available for the Cowichan Valley, but where is it?

 

https://www.bctransit.com/nextride-faq

 

January 2022 – Cowichan Valley (Completed)
March 2022 – Port Alberni
March 2022 – Campbell River
April 2022 – Fraser Valley Transit Systems
Spring 2022 – Vernon Regional
Spring 2022 – Shuswap Regional
Spring 2022 – South Okanagan-Similkameen

[vortoozo]

BCT says Next Ride is available for the Cowichan Valley, but where is it?

 

 

The Cowichan Valley is north-west of Victoria. 

[Mike K.]

Lots of politicians these days telling people to stop complaining about gas prices, and to take the bus. Including Saanich mayoral hopeful Murdoch who ended up in a bit of a verbal fisticuff on Twitter when he suggested people concerned about gas prices should take the bus.
 

So we at TransLink are here to help you navigate your new world, and below are several tips to help you on your way:

1. Get up, sleepy head! It’s 5 a.m. No more sleeping in — you’ve got the express bus to catch, unless you enjoy riding the milk run that goes through three municipalities before it gets downtown. So get going! You have 40 seconds to shave, shower, dress, make lunch and choke down a piece of toast. But hang on! Don’t forget to let the dog out for a pee before you go. And while the dog does its business, you can pick up the garbage cans and the remains of dinner that the local gang of raccoons spread all over your front lawn last night. Go on. We’ll wait.

2. Time to walk to the bus stop. There, doesn’t that feel good? Birds singing, fresh air, exercise … it’s 5:45 a.m. and you’re already sweating! Good for you!

3. It begins to rain. Get your umbrella out.

4. You brought your umbrella, didn’t you? You didn’t? Huh.

5. When you get to the bus stop, you will see a line of people waiting there. We suggest you not say good morning to anyone because, well, they’re at a bus stop in the rain and clearly none of them believe this is a good morning. Rather, we suggest you use this time to wonder why the transit system couldn’t be bothered to erect a covered shelter rather than let its customers wait in the rain.

...

 

10. Given the close quarters involved in commuting by bus, you are probably wondering if there is a greater likelihood of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Let us reassure you:

Yes! Of course there is!
 

And lucky you! Two weeks of quarantine. Whole afternoons binge-watching Netflix on the couch, if, of course, you don’t end up intubated in an intensive care ward.

It goes on for a while longer: https://vancouversun...-option-the-bus

[Cats4Hire]

 

VICTORIA – BC Transit is announcing a seasonal service change in the Victoria Regional Transit System effective Monday, April 4, 2022.

BC Transit continues to work hard to provide reliable service for customers, and this service change includes the following:

• Routes 3 and 10 James Bay/Royal Jubilee will complete a loop in James Bay and return to Royal Jubilee Hospital on their respective alignments, no longer interlining in James Bay

• Adjustments to routes 70,71, 72 Swartz Bay/Downtown to accommodate spring ferry traffic
  - Route 70 trip time adjustments to provide greater flexibility for minor ferry delays
  - Service level improvements on routes 71 and 72

• Service level adjustments on routes serving post-secondary institutions to match reduced demand

 

Permanent route change starting March 30th, 2022:

 

The connection of Luxton Road between Marwood and Sooke Road will be permanently closed starting March 30th as the new connection to Sooke Road using Chidlow Connector Rd has been opened.

 

 

Due to these changes, starting March 30, 2022 routes 54 and 55 are rerouted to the following:

 

54 & 55 to Langford Exch: from Marwood, left Luxton, right Chidlow Connector, right Sooke to regular route.

 

54 Metchosin & 55 Happy Valley: from Sooke, left Chidlow Connector, left Luxton, right Marwood to regular route.

[FogPub]

 

 

VICTORIA – BC Transit is announcing a seasonal service change in the Victoria Regional Transit System effective Monday, April 4, 2022.

BC Transit continues to work hard to provide reliable service for customers, and this service change includes the following:

• Service level adjustments on routes serving post-secondary institutions to match reduced demand

 

That week will be fun for Uvic people, as class is in regular session through the 7th.