For our main story on the changes, click here.
For a map that can be opened an expanded, go to the bottom of this page.
Note: the maps attached to this story have not been updated to reflect one change approved by council at a recent meeting. At its westernmost extent, the route will loop down Blue Jay Street, addressing concerns by residents that that road would have no bus service.
How is Abbotsford’s bus system changing come this July?
Route 1
This route will serve as the backbone of a future rapid transit network and will likely be among the first in line to get more service when buses are added in 2020 and 2021. This will hit the busiest areas of town, running between UFV, the historic downtown, the South Fraser Way malls and HighStreet. It will operate three times an hour at peak times on weekdays between 5:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. At non-peak times and on Saturdays, it will run twice an hour. It will run once an hour on Sundays. The route will serve as the backbone of a future rapid transit network and will likely be among the first in line to get more service when buses are added in 2020 and 2021.
Note: the maps attached to this story have not been updated to reflect one change approved by council at a recent meeting. At its westernmost extent, the route will loop down Blue Jay Street, addressing concerns by residents that that road would have no bus service.
The old Route 1 used to run up McKee Road. That has been ditched because of the length of time it took to service that area and the comparatively low number of riders. Route 9 has been redesigned to accommodate some of those passengers.
Route 2
This route is actually a modification of the existing Route 1 between Blueridge and the McKee area will run between High Street and the Abbotsford Recreation Centre. Original plans had it turning around in the neighbourhood surrounding the ARC, but residents objected, so it will now turn around right at the recreation centre.
A transit report said: “Separating the existing 1 Blueridge/McKee into the proposed routes 2 Highstreet/McMillan and 9 Downtown/McKee allows a better match between service levels and ridership, as the McKee area generates significantly lower ridership than the other segments of the existing route 1 Blueridge/McKee.”
The frequency of this route will be similar to Route 1 when service begins in July: It will operate three times an hour at peak times on weekdays between 5:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. At non-peak times and at peak times on Saturdays, it will run twice an hour. It will run once an hour on Sundays.
Route 3
This route will run between Clearbrook and Huntingdon, with service similar to that on the existing Route 2. A report says: “Like the existing route 2 Bluejay/Huntingdon, service on the proposed route 3 Clearbrook/Huntingdon would extend from Sumas Shopping Centre down to Huntingdon on every second trip on weekdays and Saturdays.”
Service will be similar to Route 1, except only two buses will run every hour at peak hours on weekdays. At non-peak times and on Saturdays, it will run twice an hour. It will run once an hour on Sundays
Route 4 and 7
Service on these two routes (Saddle and Sumas Mountain) will be halved on weekdays and Saturdays, from twice an hour to once an hour. Ridership was found to be low, with just 13.7 rides served per hour.
Route 9
This route will connect the McKee, Clayburn and McMillan areas to the historic downtown.
A report said:
“The McKee area is currently served by the route 1 Blueridge/McKee. However, based on a ridership assessment from Fall 2018, the routing within the McKee area3 takes approximately 23% of the route’s resources but only generates 6% of the route’s ridership. Consequently, the McKee area is currently receiving a much higher level of service than is warranted for the existing density and ridership levels. For this reason, it is recommended that the McKee area be served with a separate route, similar to the areas served by existing routes 4 Saddle and 7 Sumas Mountain, which are comparable to the McKee area in terms of neighbourhood characteristics and density. This will allow more resources to be focused in the core to provide a more efficient and effective transit service.”
Buses will run once per hour on this route, every day of the week.
Route 15, 16
Service on the Auguston connector and McMillan commuter buses will be halved, to once per hour, on weekdays. A smaller bus will also be used for the McMillan route.
Route 17
The Townline Industrial route will now end at the Bourquin Exchange and not continue on to the historic downtown exchange. Those wishing to continue on to the historic downtown will be able to take one of the frequent buses that travel between the two exchanges.
Route 23
The report states:
“This route currently provides one AM and one PM trip, and is the only route providing service directly along Springhill Street, Sunnyside Crescent, and Hill-Tout Street, but the service is currently not well utilized in comparison to other routes in Abbotsford. It is recommended that this route be discontinued due to extremely low ridership and that those hours be relocated to improving service reliability.”
The route had served an average of 7.5 riders per hour.
Bus stops
The changes will see several bus stops closed, several new ones opened, and a pair moved.
Note: the maps attached to this story have not been updated to reflect one change approved by council at a recent meeting. At its westernmost extent, the route will loop down Blue Jay Street, addressing concerns by residents that that road would have no bus service.
@ty_olsentolsen@abbynews.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
