EDITOR,Squamish Commuter transit service is scheduled to end on March 31, 2011. It is time to do something. Regional transit in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District can begin by saving the Squamish Commuter, combining it with the Pemberton Commuter and operating them as a regional transit system.
Service can link all the communities from Mount Currie to Britannia Beach. It can be extended to the communities of Black Tusk and Pinecrest. Service to D'Arcy could connect with the rail service from Lillooet, which now only goes to D'Arcy on request. People travel to Squamish to hike the trail up the Stawamas Chief. Members of the Squamish Nation travel between Squamish, Mount Currie and Lillooet.
None of these people will use a regional transit system if they don't know about it. Transit can no longer be regarded as a charity which people find out about if they need it. It must be treated as a business and promoted within the community to increase use and awareness.
Frequent use by commuters makes them the core group of users. Hundreds of other people are already using commuter buses; weekly, bi-weekly and monthly for shopping, government and medical services. Many more will use them if they know about it.
Buses used for the Squamish Commuter are the most expensive diesel buses in the Whistler fleet. They are parked outdoors in Squamish and get much of their service in Squamish. They pay the same operating and debt-servicing costs for the new transit facility in Whistler as buses used, parked and serviced in Whistler. The Pemberton Commuter is also paying for the use of Whistler buses and the Whistler Transit facility.
Quality, late-model used buses are available. A less expensive transit facility already exists in Squamish. There are places in Pemberton where buses could be parked and even serviced.
Kings Transit serves most of Western Nova Scotia. In 1999, Metro Magazine named it one of North America's best small transit systems. In a 2010 report, Transport Canada claimed, "Kings Transit Authority is one of Canada's most efficient small transit systems and offers a model for rural communities that want to provide cost-effective transit service."
Kings Transit began 30 years ago. They bought their first new buses 10 years ago. They are currently renovating a failed car dealership to create their first service and parking facility. They will no longer be keeping their buses at the school bus service lot.
Service started with two buses connecting two small towns. It currently connects towns and villages along almost 200 kilometres of Nova Scotia's Highway 1. They have grown to four counties and 10 buses without a 47 per cent subsidy from a provincial transit agency. They recover two-thirds of their costs from fare revenue.
They are willing to share their information and experience. They have given presentations and provided consultation services for small transit systems across Canada. With, or without their assistance, they serve as an example of what can be done.Murray GambleSquamish
