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Ridership on the Fraser Valley Express is rising steadily

An average weekday sees 200 people boarding #66, nicknamed the FVX, which goes from Chilliwack to Abbotsford and then on to Langley
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Only two months after the new bus route was launched

The Fraser Valley Express bus is getting traction after only two months on the road.

An average weekday sees 200 people boarding the #66, nicknamed the FVX, which goes from Chilliwack to Abbotsford and then on to Langley, where they can access Trans Link.

FVX ridership is "steadily" increasing, according to a news release from B.C. Transit.

They offer 17 round trips on weekdays and another four on Saturdays.

FVRD parks assistant Meghan Stewart noticed that ridership has been increasing on the #66.

"It's a lot better than driving," said Stewart. "It's relaxing and spacious. I even made a few friends on the bus."

Before the FVX she would spend $120 a month on bridge tolls and driving.

"Now, I ride my bike to the bus and spend two hours reading," she said. "The bus has made my commute from Maple Ridge to Chilliwack both affordable and enjoyable."

She noticed more and more people have been coming into the FVRD office in Chilliwack to purchase FVX tickets, at $5 each or $100 for a monthly pass.

"There's such a need for this bus service. To have it finally happen has been so beneficial and such a relief," she said.

The long-awaited #66 route has three local stops: at the Lickman Park & Ride, at Vedder and Luckakuck, and at the downtown exchange on Spadina Avenue.

There are also now more spots to buy tickets.

"As requested by customers, the number of retail vendors selling fare products for the service has increased and is now available at three locations in Chilliwack, three in Abbotsford, and one each in Mission and Langley. The full list of the vendors can be viewed at http://bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/fares

BC Transit is planning to give FVX riders a chance to give feedback when it conducts a formal ridership survey in October 2015 after six months of service.

jfeinberg@theprogress.com

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Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
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