BC Transit says there is an increase in commuters using a bus route from the Cowichan Valley to Greater Victoria.
The Cowichan Valley Commuter is seeing increased ridership on the service and at times, full buses.
“It’s well used. The buses are starting to get on the crowded side, we are getting close to needing to add additional service to meet peoples needs,” said James Wadsworth, BC Transit planning manager.
“We run six trips a day Monday to Friday, and we carry between 300 to 350 people a day on the service.”
The route was created back in 2008 in partnership with BC Transit, the Cowichan Regional District and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission.
You can hop on starting at 5:30 a.m. in Duncan, in about an hour your in the heart of Victoria. Starting at 3:45 p.m. you can make it back home in about the same amount of time.
And with all the spare time they gain by not being behind the wheel, those ditching the drivers seat say they love it.
“I have a two and a half year old at home, so this is my like quiet time, this is my quiet time, I watch TV shows and work on project,” said Nathan Lapointe.
“Usually everyone is sleeping, and you try to be quiet and try to listen to some music maybe, and on the way back chat a bit more, everyone is awake by then,” said Mav Hourigan.
“I usually read, or play games on my phone or text my family,” said Teresa Scambler.
Its about $10 each way, which may seem like a lot but riders say it beats the cost of driving, gas, maintenance, parking.
And that’s not to mention the lower cost of housing outside Greater Victoria.
And with daily traffic woes plaguing the south island officials hope is ridership continues to grow as more people swap the keys for a pass on the bus.
Julian Kolsut
