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

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.