Effective Friday, Aug. 31, transit riders in the Comox Valley will benefit from increased service levels, improved connections, and route restructuring that will enhance service to high density areas and connect people to key destinations throughout the region.
This system restructuring is possible thanks to the addition of 4,000 new service hours to the Comox Valley Transit System, and involves establishing a Frequent Transit Network (FTN) between Courtenay and Comox – a priority identified in the Transit Future Plan as approved by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD).
FTN service will be offered through the new route 1 Anfield Centre/Comox Mall, which will replace existing routes 1 Fitzgerald and 34 C2C, and part of route 3 Comox via Ryan & Lerwick.
Offering 20-minute service at peak hours, route 1 Anfield Centre/Comox Mall will run from Anfield Centre along Fitzgerald to downtown Courtenay, up Ryan Road to North Island College, and down Lerwick and Anderton to Comox Mall.
To better link to the FTN from almost anywhere within the system, the following routes will also see significant realignment:
• Route 2 Cumberland will now run as 2 Cumberland/Anfield Centre and connect with the FTN at Anfield Centre
• Route 3 Comox via Ryan & Lerwick will now run as 3 Comox Local, serving the Comox area only, with service to North Island College and Courtenay provided via the new FTN
• Route 4 Comox via Comox Road will now run as 4 Driftwood Mall/Comox Mall, connecting the two shopping centres via Comox Road and Cliffe Avenue
• Route 10 Royston/Buckley Bay will be renamed 10 Fanny Bay and will provide service into Courtenay along Cliffe Ave. This route will no longer serve Cumberland via Royston Road
• A new route, 20 Cumberland via Royston, will connect Cumberland with Royston and Anfield Centre
“The launch of the frequent transit network allows our residents to get where they need to faster and more efficiently,” said CVRD board chair Bruce Jolliffe. “We’ve listened to residents’ feedback that they value their time, the environment and alternatives for commuting, and we wanted to deliver on these wishes to have a more effective transit network here in the region.”
In addition to these changes, routes 1 Anfield/Comox Mall and 2 Cumberland/Anfield Centre will offer late night service on Fridays and Saturdays. The bus will leave Anfield at 11:25 p.m. and reach Comox Mall at 11:48 p.m. From Cumberland, the bus will leave at 11:09 p.m.
“BC Transit is pleased to work closely with our local government partners at the Comox Valley Regional District to address the changing needs of the growing, vibrant communities in the Comox Valley,” said Erinn Pinkerton, interim president and chief executive officer of BC Transit. “The FTN and all related route realignments will better connect people and communities in the Comox Valley.”
In addition to this system restructuring, customers in the Comox Valley can also expect fare changes that will make it more affordable for post-secondary students to take the bus.
Effective Sept. 1, post-secondary students will pay only $35 for a monthly pass, $40 for a dual monthly pass, $115 for a semester pass and $130 for a dual semester pass.
Other fare changes include simplifying the single, one-way cash fare to $2 for all customers (it had been $1.75 for students and seniors). Transfers can now be made anywhere within the FTN.
Riders may also choose to purchase a DayPASS for $4 or a 10-ticket sheet for $18. As well, monthly passes will be available for $55 (adults) or $35 (senior/youth), and dual monthly passes will be $60 (adults) or $40 (senior/youth). handyDART fares will remain unchanged at $2 one-way.
For transit routes and schedules in the Comox Valley, and to access NextRide to plan your trip online and find out where your bus is in real-time, visit bctransit.com/comox-valley
