A third bus is coming to Squamish this August bringing a long-awaited stop to Brennan Park and adding 3,200 more hours of bus service across town. At a strategy session on Tuesday (June 24) BC Transit's senior transit planner Tania Wegwitz discussed some changes residents could look forward to as early as Aug. 25.With the added bus, she said, the frequency and directness of routes would be improved, taking much of the hassle out of Squamish Transit."Trip times can be done reliably and on time so the schedule is a schedule and it's something that we can follow and maintain for people," she said. The new bus routes would also put an end to inconsistent stops that have riders using different stops depending on the time of day, she said.Some new areas to receive service this August are Thunderbird Ridge, Glacier View Drive and Quest University in the Garibaldi Highlands. In Valleycliffe, Cherry Drive and Balsam Way will be getting their first stops. New routing will also add service to Loggers Lane, Brennan Park and Wal-Mart.The decisions were made based on open houses and surveys filled out by the public. District and transit staff were also consulted. Some councillors questioned why some residential hubs were still not being serviced."You're not reaching the numbers of people that I think we need to reach," said Coun. Corinne Lonsdale, adding that Tantalus Way has higher density than Glacier View Drive. "Those areas with apartments I think need to be better serviced for sure."The area had been considered, Wegwitz said, but noted that more changes could fill in such gaps over the next five years when the town's two-bus fleet turns into 10.She also made suggestions for fare changes, many of which bring more perks to riders. Transfers should be made more flexible to stretch over a 90-minute period, allowing some people to make return trips on the same pass. The monthly student pass covering only school hours should also be modified to give unlimited service, Wegwitz said, adding that college and university students should also be considered students.This new pass would cost $25 per month rather than current unlimited student rate of $30. Wegwitz said that the basic fare of $1.75 should not be increased."I would recommend not doing anything with cash fares at this time," she said."At $1.75 you're definitely average or maybe even a bit high for your fares."The new bus will cost the district an added $90,000 per year. The province will chip in $112,100.Heintzman suggested the community find a way to celebrate the new bus when it is put into service."It'd be great to have some creative stuff going on," she said, adding that mocktails or live music could be happening on the bus. "Something that's fun and creates a little buzz."
