qathet Regional District (qRD) directors have endorsed a three-year transit expansion initiative to provide Texada Island an extra day of bus service.
At the September 23 regional board meeting, directors considered a motion to authorize the chief executive officer to sign the three-year transit expansion initiative and that the board reaffirm its commitment to service expansion to Texada in the 2022 operating year.
Estimated annual cost for the service is $61,620, of which the regional district must pay $35,237.
Electoral Area C director Clay Brander said this item raised some challenges for him. He said he is a supporter of public transit and while he would like to offer gold-star level services, the cost of offering that level is high.
“I’m not a believer in the phrase build it and they will come,” said Brander. “Sometimes, the service doesn’t fit the circumstances and no matter how much it’s improved, it will never be heavily utilized.
“In this particular case, we have a day of bus service being considered for Texada and the assumed ridership in the report is quite low, which means it will be heavily subsidized by qathet taxpayers. We have to understand that every bus service is subsidized but having adequate public transportation service is an important part of the community and this should be encouraged.”
Brander said in this case the service upgrade will require an additional vehicle, which is unfortunate, because of added cost, but it could also be considered an opportunity, because having the additional vehicle will potentially improve the service.
“Given the fact that the big picture cost isn’t ridiculous, I believe I can support this initiative, but I am going to listen to the other directors and make my final decision when the vote is called,” said Brander. “I had to go back and forth with this but at the end of the day I think it’s worth trying.”
Residents request Tuesday service
Electoral Area D director Sandy McCormick said she took the opportunity to have a dialogue and communication with people on Texada and heard from 37 residents regarding the expanded bus transportation. She said the overwhelming comment was for the service to be established, and that the bus runs on Tuesdays.
“People have indicated they are not primarily users now of the service, but they would like to be users, particularly if it was to run on Tuesdays,” said McCormick. “I’m satisfied this added day of service is going to attract a new clientele. Clearly, if it doesn’t, BC Transit would be within its right to question that down the road.
“Transit is important if we are going to move ahead on climate change. I’m going to support this recommendation.”
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said he had some concerns with this proposal.
“What we are looking at is $61,620 total cost for 500 hours,” said Gisborne. “That works out to roughly $123 per hour of operation. Fortunately, the ministry of transportation is going to subsidize a good portion of that. However, we are looking at roughly 2.5 riders per hour, which works out roughly to $50 per person riding the bus.
“At that price point, I wonder if there isn’t a more cost-effective option. Mass transit, in my opinion, only becomes viable to fight climate change when you have sufficient density using the service.”
Gisborne said other communities have tried different transit options, such as taxi vouchers, or the Gabriola Island bus service, run by a nonprofit society, which has a funding arrangement with the regional district to operate the service. Gisborne said the service is cheaper to run compared to the proposed Texada service.
“I am concerned about the additional tax burden this proposal will have,” added Gisborne.
City directors support motion
City director CaroleAnn Leishman said she supported the expansion. She said all governments need to shift priorities if they are going to try to tackle the impacts of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“We have to improve transit; we have to get people out of private vehicles,” said Leishman. “By improving the transit service, more people will have the ability to use it. The province will recognize that and start funding it more. I support this motion.”
City director George Doubt said he believes “if you build it, they will come.”
“The only way to know if you’ll get ridership is to do it,” said Doubt. “This has been part of the longstanding plan. Everyone has to know that if you’re going to provide transit service, it’s going to cost money. There needs to be better public transportation to Texada Island. It will save capacity on the ferry and greenhouse gases.”
McCormick reiterated that if the motion passed, it was important to relay to BC Transit that the desired day of service is Tuesday.
“It makes sense to provide service on the day they want it,” said McCormick.
The qRD board carried the motion for the Texada transit expansion, with Gisborne opposed.
The board then carried a motion that the board communicate to BC Transit the community’s preference for Tuesday service.
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