With the goal of connecting the Island by transit, two mid-Island regional district directors are asking the province to close the gaps and create an inter-regional public transportation system.

In a letter co-written by Daniel Arbour, Comox Valley Regional District director and Stuart Mclean, Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) director and chair of the RDNB次元官网网址檚 Transit Select Committee, they said the Island has failed to establish commuter-focused, inter-regional public transportation.

The pair explained simple solutions exist as the province and BC Transit could close three small transit gaps that would provide connectivity between Campbell River, Port Alberni and Victoria.

B次元官网网址淲e are asking the province to step in; thereB次元官网网址檚 already now been a couple of times the private model has failed,B次元官网网址� Arbour told The Record. B次元官网网址淭ransit buses are already on the road, and if we close the gaps, we just need a little synergy of the schedules.B次元官网网址�

He added the reasons the connected transit system hasnB次元官网网址檛 already happened is that it has not been previously presented to the province and that regional districts normally look at their internal services, and not those across the Island.

B次元官网网址淲e want to bring some public attention, we need some leadership and funding; itB次元官网网址檚 such an easy solution B次元官网网址� in the scheme of costs of the transit system, itB次元官网网址檚 very minimal.B次元官网网址�

In some cases, it is a matter of adding eight kilometres between routes, potentially an extra hour of service, said Arbour.

The number 10 bus which comes from Courtenay stops in Mud Bay, south of Fanny Bay. Bus service in the RDN begins on bus 99 in Deep Bay. He added in Victoria, many gaps are covered, but a more difficult, larger gap to bridge is one between Port Alberni and Qualicum Beach.

He added there is a short gap between the Nanaimo Airport and Ladysmith, and in 2019, the RDN passed resolutions asking for help to move forward on closing the gap. BC Transit has facilitated the connection between the RDN and the Cowichan Valley Regional District - service should commence in September 2022.

B次元官网网址淭he goal for the province should be to provide stability and reliability as a public service for years to come.B次元官网网址�

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