Winter service changes coming for numerous BC Transit routes

Winter service changes coming for numerous BC Transit routes
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BC Transit announces winter service changes to numerous routes, starting January 2. File photo

BC Transit announces winter service changes to numerous routes, starting January 2. File photo

BC Transit says James Bay and the Tsawout First Nation will see the most impact from service expansion starting January 2.

Input from both communities spurred on the changes, which expands off the 20,000 additional service hours in the fall.

BC Transit says James Bay will see more direct routes to Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria High School, Central Middle School and Oak Bay.

Tsawout First Nation will see more service with the expansion of route 82 Sidney.

The changes also include route two for Oak Bay/Willows/Downtown, providing service to Fisherman’s Wharf and Five Corners at Menzies and Simcoe Street, before connecting to downtown Victoria and continuing to Oak Bay.

That expansion means the service from James Bay to Hillside Mall on route 19 will be discontinued.

Route two will also replace circulation to James Bay for routes 27 Gordon Head/Downtown and 28 Majestic/Downtown, which both will end at the Blanshard Terminus in downtown.

James Bay circulation for Routes 30 Royal Oak Exchange/ Beacon Hill/ James Bay and 31 Royal Oak Exchange/James Bay will also be replaced by route 2 and end at the Legislature Terminus.

The Langford exchange for route 50 will start earlier on both Saturday and Sunday.

Three round trips will be added for route 61 Sooke which will mean hourly service from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and begins earlier on the weekend.

To help passengers adjust to the changes, BC Transit staff will be at main bus stops during the first week of January to explain the new routing.

Routes will be reinstated January 2 around universities and colleges that was reduced because of lower ridership levels in December.

Andy NealAndy Neal

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