For the many foot passengers who travel on the Duke Point ferry service, especially those coming from the mainland, finding a ride to the nearest city is difficult.
The Regional District of Nanaimo is seeking to make it a little easier.
There are no public buses that travel from Duke Point. But that could change. The RDN has received a request to extend B.C. Transit services to Duke Point.
Philippe Lucas, vice-president of Tilray, raised the issue at the RDN’s transport select committee meeting in March. It has garnered strong support from elected officials that include Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Sheila Malcolmson, Nanaimo MLA Leonard Krog and Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley, all of whom sent letters to the RDN.
“If there was ever an appropriate extension of bus service, then extending it to Duke Point is certainly a very logical step,” Krog stated in his letter. “In Europe and other parts of the world, no one would expect to come off a public transportation system like a ferry and not be able to get onto a bus or some other form of public transportation linking you with the most significant urban centre nearby, or taking you to other forms of transportation, i.e airports, etc.”
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce and the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance have also sent letters of support.
RDN staff has been directed by the board of directors to look into the request for transportation services to Duke Point and provide a report to the transit select committee.