Commuter bus service between Squamish and Whistler will be expanded beginning this fall following an announcement by the provincial government that they will spend $59,000 on the program.
"Its very good news," said mayor Ian Sutherland of the announcement, noting that the funds will cover 47 per cent of the service."Along with Whistler, we've been asking the province to be a partner in this for I guess since we started the service," said Mayor Ian Sutherland. "So it's very positive they've stepped forward for 2007 and 2008."
The funding is part of a $32 million commitment by the province to expand transit services and add additional over the next three years in 25 separate communities. The service running up and down Highway 99 is currently seasonal, running from November until April, but Sutherland sees this as a step towards making the run more permanent.
"Hopefully now we can translate that to a more permanent service going forward from here, but certainly this is an important first step," said Sutherland. "We've all said that the ultimate goal is to have a year-round commuter service or transit service between Squamish and Whistler, this definitely puts us that one step closer," said Sutherland.
West Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre was equally encouraged by the funding increase, which she announced in a release on Wednesday (April 4).
"This new funding addresses a real need in the corridor," said McIntyre. "Transportation is a critical issue in these two communities. We have listened and I am delighted that the province has now responded with extra funding."
"As a result we will be able to serve significant numbers of commuters between Whistler and Squamish," said McIntyre.That increase in numbers may have significant economic benefit down the road for Squamish as well.
"That's why the idea of a regional transit authority, no matter the umbrella group, is so important because having the predictable transit in place between Squamish to Whistler and down to Greater Vancouver, and open a lot more possibilities for a lot more people," said Sutherland.
"It opens a lot of possibilities for people to do more and have more options for living in Squamish."
Part of the purpose behind the funding is to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon expansion of bus services is an effective way to reach the provincial government's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020.
I'm assuming what they're doing is they're funding the model that we have in place. Our model basically runs from late November to sometime in April depending on the calendar in any given yearSutherland agreed that the money might reduce the number of cars on the road in Squamish, and therefore assist in lower greenhouse gas emissions.
"It may do away with a few cars," said Sutherland. "It might mean that families who might want to move to Squamish could do with one or two cars, or what ever it may be.
The funding, which is in addition to a $52.5 million commitment by the province to support the Union of British Colombian Municipalities investment in public transit infrastructure, will allow 121 new buses to be purchased across BC.
