Three Chilliwack bus routes will be starting earlier and running later as of August 31.
As part of the already announced Chilliwack Transit System expansion for 2014, longer service days are in store for the busiest routes along Vedder, Evans and Promontory.
City of Chilliwack and BC Transit officials say an extra 1,300 service hours are being added to the local conventional transit system, and another 1,000 hours to handDART.
Early birds who ride Route 1 Vedder can take advantage of the 6:57 a.m., 7:17 a.m., and 7:37 a.m. trips leaving from Yale and Menzies Monday to Friday, and the added 7:10 a.m. run from the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). The bus will also run an hour later, leaving UFV at 11:10 p.m. on weekdays.
Route 2 Evans will start an hour earlier Monday through Friday, from the Cottonwood Mall starting at 6:36 a.m. and at 7:03 a.m. from the downtown exchange on Yale.
The hours will be extended in the evening, too. The last trip leaves the downtown exchange at 10:03 p.m., which is an hour later than the current schedule.
The final run from the Cottonwood Mall will now head out at 10:25 p.m.
Route 4 Promontory will see extra evening trips Monday through Friday. The last run from the Cottonwood Mall is at 10:15 p.m. (the current final trip is 9:15) and the last trip leaving Teskey and Sylvan will be 10:45 p.m. (the current final trip is 8:05 p.m.).
Officials say handyDART service will also grow by 1,000 annual hours with an added vehicle in Chilliwack.
Ridership has increased with the transit improvements.
“Residents of Agassiz, Harrison and Chilliwack continue to embrace public transit.” said Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness. “The addition of 2,300 service hours highlights just how much residents in this region support their local transit system.”
The extra hours will help.
“Increasing service hours on three of Chilliwack’s busiest routes will now provide a safe public transit option to transit users who require early morning or late evening service,” said Chilliwack MLA John Martin. “Students attending the University of the Fraser Valley, in particular, will benefit from expanded service.”
City of Chilliwack is a proud parrtner.
“Expanding our public transit services is one way the City of Chilliwack is proactively working to meet the needs of our community,” said Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz. “We are pleased that so many residents have chosen to utilize a more environmentally conscious method of transportation and we will continue to monitor transportation needs within Chilliwack.”
The extra hours will assist registered riders with more options during peak periods.
“Along with our partners at the City of Chilliwack, we are proud to jointly expand service hours,” said BC Transit Vice President and COO Brian Anderson. “Having earlier and later travel options helps us attain our goal of connecting people and communities by providing an efficient and effective transit system.
“We are pleased that so many residents have chosen to utilize a more environmentally conscious method of transportation and we will continue to monitor transportation needs within Chilliwack," said Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz.
For more about routes and schedules, 604.795.3838 or www.bctransit.com/regions/chw