STAY CONNECTED TO VIBRANTVICTORIA
WHAT'S HAPPENING ON CITIFIED VICTORIA
B.C. Transit buses could be running to and from ferry terminals on Saltspring Island as early as next year.
The new service was approved by Capital Regional District directors without debate yesterday, pending financing approval by local residents.
"Naturally, on Saltspring the ferry terminals, the schools and Ganges town centre itself are kind of the prime anchors of the market," said Ron Drolet, B.C .Transit vice-president.
Saltspring voters now will be given an opportunity through counter-petition to indicate whether they approve the estimated extra $11.47 the new bus service would add to the average tax bill. ...
The target date for implementation is January 2008, providing the proposal survives the counter-petition process.
Two routes are proposed. Route One would serve the ferries and operate five days a week, serving Fulford and Vesuvius on a regular schedule. Route Two is proposed to provide shuttle service in the Ganges area with a combined fixed route and demand service. Initially, it also is to be operated on weekdays.
The annual cost is estimated at $177,000 with $100,000 coming from B.C. Transit and the remainder from the CRD. The CRD share is expected to be offset by fare revenue of $15,000 to $20,000. ...
Existing services on Saltspring include: the Ganges Faerie, a private year-round shuttle to ferry terminals; a volunteer driver program operated by the Seniors Services society; an older wheelchair-accessible van operated by the Lion's Society; a van and a minibus operated by Greenwoods Extended Care and taxi service.
Drolet said it's B.C. Transit's practice to contract private operators when moving into small communities.
