Squamish holds claim to one of the province’s largest jump in public transit ridership this past year.
On Wednesday, July 16, BC Transit released its 2013/14 annual report. B.C.-wide 2.7 per cent more people are taking the bus. Squamish saw the second largest jump in its public transit head count with a 14.7 per cent bump — Summerland led the way with a 33.4 per cent increase. However, the Okanagan Lake community launched its transit service last year.
Overall passenger trips were up by 32,566 in Squamish, equaling 253,797 trips in total. The increase is likely attributed to service improvements that were introduced last fall, the Crown corporation stated in a press release. Approximately 3,100 annual service hours and a new route to Tantalus were added to the community’s system.
The upgrades' implementation came with a $120,000 price tag, Johann van Schaik, B.C. Transit's regional transit manager for the south coast, told District of Squamish officials last year. Once in place, the annual operating cost was anticipated to be approximately $200,000.
The jump in the number of people taking the bus is great news, as the District of Squamish has invested heavily in transit by also extending evenings, Sunday and holiday service, Mayor Rob Kirkham stated.
“We are thrilled to see this level of growth as it will help fuel ongoing transit improvements to meet the changing needs of the community,” he said. “Such improvements will help in the ongoing development of our comprehensive multi-modal transportation system for Squamish, of which transit has an increasing role to play.”
The public system in B.C. services more than 1.6 million British Columbians. Operating costs of $222.3 million support a fleet of 1,052 vehicles — the 17th largest fleet in North America.
Last year the Crown corporation’s operating costs were 3.8 per cent below its budget, equaling the equivalent of $8.7 million.
“We are encouraged with the results achieved in 2013/2014,” BC Transit’s board chair Kevin Mahoney said. “As we move into 2014/15, we will continue to work with our partners to provide excellence in customer service and to ensure maximum value for the taxpayers of British Columbia.”
