Nicole Knowles
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) board of directors is endorsing a letter to BC Transit and the Minister of Transportation and Transit. The Board is requesting the development of a plan to expand transit services between Victoria, Cowichan Valley and the RDN.
The letter states the province should include necessary infrastructure, fleet, and hourly service between 6:00am and midnight at a fare of no more than $5.
Currently, the cost of taking BC Transit bus via the Nanaimo-Duncan-Victoria system is $17.50. A $10 fare to connect between Victoria and Duncan; and a $7.50 fare to connect from Duncan to Nanaimo’s downtown.
The aim of the request is to provide more equitable, affordable, and frequent transit services between the regions.
The RDN says enhanced transit services – if approved – would provide greater mobility for non-drivers, promoting social inclusion and independence, and reduce reliance on personal vehicles, leading to lower emissions and a smaller carbon footprint.
There is also the hope to see an increase in road safety, reduction in congestion, and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
This would support the Provincial goal of the Clean BC Roadmap to 2030, which targets increasing walking, cycling and public transit.
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