Editor's note: This is a letter to the District of Squamish, B.C. Transit and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. It was copied to The Chief for publication.
Thank you for the recent six-month extension to Sea to Sky Transit, the Squamish Commuter. This provides critical time to redesign and re-implement the service into a more sustainable and attractive service. I have seen no indication of this extension on Squamish or B.C. Transit websites. The B.C. Transit site still says, "98 Squamish Commuter - route and schedule remains unchanged until March 31, 2011." Does this mean we will see no changes or improvements until after August?
Here are some suggestions for immediate, small changes.
Please, reduce the price for tickets and passes. Whistler sells tickets for 20 per cent below face value. Ten $2.50 tickets cost $20. At that rate, Squamish Commuter tickets could be 10 trips for $64 instead of $72.
A Whistler bus pass is $65. This is the same as 26 cash fares (26 x $2.50). The same rate could place a Squamish Commuter pass at $208 instead of $232.
At the moment, the cheapest way to travel on the Squamish Commuter is to buy B.C. Transit tickets in Whistler and use three $2.50 tickets and 50 cents.
Please, tickets at 10 for $64 and passes for $208.
Many of the people from Whistler who use the Squamish Commuter get a $2.50 discount each way by using their Whistler bus pass. That is $5.50 each way. B.C. Transit electronic fare boxes should have confirmation of the numbers. They are currently travelling cheaper than commuters from Squamish.
The cash fare should be left at $8, or even raised to $10. This is still competitive with the Greyhound but puts people closer to their destinations in Squamish.
Advertise on the buses in Whistler. Have Squamish merchants sponsor the advertising on the buses in Whistler. Promote the 7:45 a.m. and 5:10 p.m. trips to Squamish and the 1:15 and 9:30 p.m. return trips. These are the trips with the lowest use, aren't they?
Promote, market and advertise the Squamish Commuter in Squamish. Start now to rebuild the number of pass and ticket users who commute to Whistler.
There has been attrition over the years. No efforts were made to replace them. Many others left when the price went up. Make an effort to attract them back. Many others left when it seemed that the service was going to end on March 31. Make an effort to attract them back.
Please promote, market and advertise the Squamish Commuter. Reduce the tickets to 10 for $64. Reduce the monthly pass to $208. Leave the cash fare at $8 or raise it to $10.Murray GambleSquamish
