This is the new math that announces that the commuter bus service from Duncan and Shawnigan Lake celebrated its first anniversary on October 20. Judging by the reaction of boisterous riders, the service is a real success. Revelers celebrated with goodies and reminiscing about events that have heralded twelve months of the Cowichan Valley's best effort yet to help British Columbia manage its carbon footprint.For the full article see the Cowichan News Leader on line at www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_central/cowichannewsleader/opinion/letters/65339387.html
10/22/09
66 + 99 = 1
Terry wrote a wonderful article about the anniversary of the bus and submitted it to the local papers with the hope that they will publish it this Friday...here is an excerpt
10/20/09
10/17/09
Happy Anniversary
10/12/09
10/8/09
King Terry
There is a new King in town...see what happens when I don't take the bus for a few days...I have been usurped...but not for long...I'll be back. Signed Queen Bee
10/7/09
Happy Birthday Jen
Jen's birthday was yesterday...sorry I missed the fun. Hope you enjoyed your purple cupcake and that you had a great day.
10/2/09
Tamara's Toe
You might have seen Tamara with crutches...she has broken her toe and will need surgery. Send Tamara your wishes for a speedy recovery9/11/09
Tamara's Birthday
The whole bus helped to celebrate Tamara's Birthday this afternoon. Those who were brave enough to wear party hats were rewarded with cup cakes. We hope you had a great day Tamara...Bobbi you are next!
9/8/09
Early Bus
Everyone who was on the first bus home this afternoon was impressed by the speed that we arrived. We reached Frayne Road at 5:00 - there was virtually no traffic - it was awesome - On Thursday the first 66 bus reached Duncan at 5:23. Thanks Doug for getting us home safely (as always).
9/1/09
New Route information
The new route infomation and schedule has just been posted on the Cowichan Valley Regional Tranist site http://www.bctransit.com/regions/cvc/schedules/schedule.cfm?line=66&
8/26/09
Update to Bus Route
Registered Cowichan Valley Commuter Riders,
As you are likely aware, BC Transit recently conducted a detailed review of the Cowichan Valley Commuter transit service. A comprehensive report was presented to the CVRD Transit Committee in early July and the Transit Committee agreed to proceed with the Phase 1 recommendations contained within the report.
New Schedule, New Routing, and New Fare Zone Boundary
Attached is a copy of the revised Cowichan Valley Commuter service which will take effect on Tuesday September 8. Changes have been made to both routes resulting in shorter travel time due to fewer stops and fewer diversions from the Trans-Canada Highway.
Service has been increased on Route 66 with four buses serving Duncan while commuters from Mill Bay will now have a choice of six buses due to the rerouting of Route 99. As well, the fare zone boundary has been shifted so that the stop at Koksilah Road is now in Zone One thereby benefiting the residents of Cowichan Station and Cowichan Bay.
Monthly Pass Registration Discontinued
Due to the overwhelming response demonstrated prior to the launch of the Cowichan Valley Commuter in October 2008 through attendance at Open Houses and via emails, letters and phone calls; it appeared that the new bus service would be “sold out” within weeks. As a result, a monthly pass registration system was implemented to reduce the possibility of buses being overcrowded and to provide valuable information (desired route, boarding location and point of purchase for bus passes) during the early days of the system.
However, the buses have not sold out. Ridership has averaged 60-65% of the target ridership. Some of the Route 66 buses have exceeded seating capacity resulting in standees between Mill Bay and Victoria. By shifting the Route 99 buses to this corridor, capacity will double in the heavy usage area from 3 to 6 buses. This will result in more comfortable conditions for all riders. There is no need to continue with the registration process.
As a result, you will no longer need to provide a confirmation number to purchase a monthly pass. Monthly passes will be available at the indicated outlets beginning two weeks prior to the start of the next month. For commuters from Duncan, the new Cowichan Aquatic Centre on James Street will now be selling monthly passes as well. Currently, the Aquatic Centre is open weekdays from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm and early in the morning until late evening on weekends (please be aware that the Aquatic Centre will have reduced operating hours between August 22 and September 11 due to the pool shutdown; please check www.northcowichan.bc.ca for operating hours during this period).
On behalf of the Cowichan Valley Regional District and BC Transit, I wish to thank you for your support of the Cowichan Valley Commuter during the initial year of operation and hope that you will find these new route and schedule changes to be an improvement to your daily commute.
Regards,
Joe Barry
Corporate Secretary
Cowichan Valley Regional District
As you are likely aware, BC Transit recently conducted a detailed review of the Cowichan Valley Commuter transit service. A comprehensive report was presented to the CVRD Transit Committee in early July and the Transit Committee agreed to proceed with the Phase 1 recommendations contained within the report.
New Schedule, New Routing, and New Fare Zone Boundary
Attached is a copy of the revised Cowichan Valley Commuter service which will take effect on Tuesday September 8. Changes have been made to both routes resulting in shorter travel time due to fewer stops and fewer diversions from the Trans-Canada Highway.
Service has been increased on Route 66 with four buses serving Duncan while commuters from Mill Bay will now have a choice of six buses due to the rerouting of Route 99. As well, the fare zone boundary has been shifted so that the stop at Koksilah Road is now in Zone One thereby benefiting the residents of Cowichan Station and Cowichan Bay.
Monthly Pass Registration Discontinued
Due to the overwhelming response demonstrated prior to the launch of the Cowichan Valley Commuter in October 2008 through attendance at Open Houses and via emails, letters and phone calls; it appeared that the new bus service would be “sold out” within weeks. As a result, a monthly pass registration system was implemented to reduce the possibility of buses being overcrowded and to provide valuable information (desired route, boarding location and point of purchase for bus passes) during the early days of the system.
However, the buses have not sold out. Ridership has averaged 60-65% of the target ridership. Some of the Route 66 buses have exceeded seating capacity resulting in standees between Mill Bay and Victoria. By shifting the Route 99 buses to this corridor, capacity will double in the heavy usage area from 3 to 6 buses. This will result in more comfortable conditions for all riders. There is no need to continue with the registration process.
As a result, you will no longer need to provide a confirmation number to purchase a monthly pass. Monthly passes will be available at the indicated outlets beginning two weeks prior to the start of the next month. For commuters from Duncan, the new Cowichan Aquatic Centre on James Street will now be selling monthly passes as well. Currently, the Aquatic Centre is open weekdays from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm and early in the morning until late evening on weekends (please be aware that the Aquatic Centre will have reduced operating hours between August 22 and September 11 due to the pool shutdown; please check www.northcowichan.bc.ca for operating hours during this period).
On behalf of the Cowichan Valley Regional District and BC Transit, I wish to thank you for your support of the Cowichan Valley Commuter during the initial year of operation and hope that you will find these new route and schedule changes to be an improvement to your daily commute.
Regards,
Joe Barry
Corporate Secretary
Cowichan Valley Regional District
Blog is suffering from neglect
Sorry that there has not been a lot of activity on the blog recently. I hope everyone is having a great summer.
5/20/09
4/27/09
The case of the secret surveys
Last month the CVC did two surveys: one hard copy that was not given to every passenger and an on-line one that nobody was told about (it was posted on the blog). Have your say, post your comments here.
4/9/09
4/1/09
Random Act of Kindness
For those of you who were unable or unwilling to catch the 5:50am bus from Duncan last Friday morning missed a very special treat. The Random Act of Kindness was planned and executed with military precision by our favourate Buss Buddy Dave and his amazing co-buddy Bonny. Everyone was treated to a steaming hot cup of Tim Horton's coffee served by Dave, just the way you wanted it and Bonny followed with delicious homemade bite-sized banana chocolate chip muffins (which, she assured, everyone were entirely healthy). It was worth getting up early. Thanks you so much Dave and Bonny.
Bonny's recipe is posted in the comments.
Bonny's recipe is posted in the comments.
3/18/09
Bus Buddies Businesses
Do you own a business that you would like to promote or would like to recommend a business or service, share it here.
Bordom Busters
A discussion thread about how you pass the time on the bus. This thread was suggested by Tigerbyte who eats vegetables for a good part of the time and now has several of us addicted to snap peas. I pass the time thinking about new items for the blog!
3/12/09
3/9/09
3/4/09
A Good Week
It has been a good week on the bus so far. Lots of interesting conversations and great ideas for the blog. We (the crowd at the back of the bus) were extremely loud this afternoon...so appologies to the other passengers. Even Doug was happy to see most of us get off at the first few stops! The highlights this afternoon were that Dave a caught drinking a b...? you judge for yourself and Matt learned how to spell Google...well done Matt.
2/27/09
Friday
The most eventful item of note on the commute today was that Rochelle ran over Art's water bottle - yes, with the bus. This happened on the last morning bus. Art was presented with a brand new blue BC Transit water bottle by Doug this afternoon. Nice one Rochelle (too bad no one took a photo for the blog)
2/26/09
Birch syrup
The topic of much discussion over the past three evening bus rides, has been birch syrup. Since first introduced to us on Monday by Bobbie, several of us are eager to try it. I found a great site at http://www.birchsyrup.ca/Home.html a company out of Thunder Bay. Does anyone know if it is available locally? Can it be made in the Cowichan Valley? I will keep you posted. Note to Matthew...sorry it does not cure colds.
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