With transportation being identified as one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions on the Coast, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is doing what it can to get people out of their cars and on the bus.
"We have for some time been implementing new initiatives that we believe are helping to increase ridership by making the service more convenient," said Brian Sagman, SCRD manager of transportation and facilities.
Sagman said that through gas tax funding, more than 30 new bus shelters were installed and about 10 new bus pull-offs were constructed along Highway 101.
Umbrellas have been installed at stops where no shelter exists to help those riders who get caught in the rain. Bicycle lockers have also been set up for those wishing to alternate between their bike and the bus.
Sagman said bus drivers now report in on the radio when they leave Langdale or Sechelt so their on-time performance can be monitored. Additionally, the buses have been outfitted with GPS systems allowing for tracking as they move along their routes.
"We hope to make that information available to our customers on-line so that people either planning to catch a bus or those who are at a bus stop could look up the location of the bus on their PDA," said Sagman.
According to Sagman, ridership has improved.
"BC Transit just sent us a report saying that our ridership for this year is up about 1.4 per cent from last year, which is not too bad. It's been increasing steadily over the last five years," said Sagman.
However, he did concede there are monetary concerns.
"Our challenge is to continue to grow ridership in the current economic environment where funding could become more scarce," he said.
Other strategies to help offset rising costs are being examined, including promotional fares, giveaways, and the potential to partner with local businesses that can take advantage of passenger activity.
"With these little programs and promotions and with an improved service, we hope to further increase ridership," stated Sagman.
Frequency is another area on transit's radar.
"Right now the system is hourly and we're hoping to get funding for next year to move to a half-hourly service for more of the day and more around peak periods. Getting a bus in a half an hour makes a big difference from having to wait an hour," Sagman added.
Sagman wants people to realize transit has made improvements.
"A lot of people who don't use the bus may think of service being the way it was 10 years ago. We've added quite a bit of service in that time. What we're trying to do is get people to try the transit service," said Sagman. "Even if they use it once a week, it will make a big difference."
