A request by Stz’uminus First Nation for a bus stop in Ladysmith, along the Nanaimo-Cowichan express bus route, has received the green light.
In correspondence to the Regional District of Nanaimo, Stz’uminus and Indigenous Services Canada asked that Route 70 Nanaimo-Cowichan express allow passengers on and off at Oyster Bay Village in Ladysmith. At a transit committee meeting Thursday, Jan. 25, directors recommended approval.
Trevor Gatzke, representing Stz’uminus, told the committee there are about 210 households in the community and it is very secluded.
“We need work, we need to be connected to our families that are in Chemainus … a lot of our members do not drive, so being able to get to see other community members, get to Nanaimo to work … this is more than just a few-minute bus stop, it’s actually a community lifeline that’s going to make things much better,” he said.
According to a staff report, a Route 70 trip lasts 140 minutes – 70 minutes to the Duncan terminus point and 70 minutes back to Nanaimo – and no extra transit hours will be needed.
“Now that there has been time to collect data … it was determined that most runs during the day have anywhere from one to eight extra minutes with an average of approximately five additional minutes on each run,” staff noted. “This extra time will permit a stop at Oyster Bay without adding any additional time to the overall run time.”
Cowichan Valley Regional District unanimously approved a three-year agreement with Stz’uminus for the stop at a meeting Wednesday, Jan. 24.
Janice Perrino, Nanaimo director, asked whether there were any plans for a Duke Point ferry terminal bus stop, as the topic of jobs was broached. Lainy Stevenson, RDN superintendent of transit planning and scheduling, said Duke Point will not be included on the Nanaimo-Cowichan express route.
“It is part of the transit re-development strategy to extend service to Duke Point, but it is explored under a different route,” Stevenson said.
The transit committee is unanimously recommending the board approve the request.
In an e-mail, Darren Marshall, RDN senior manager of transportation services, told the News Bulletin the plan is to add the bus stop in late March or early April, contingent on board’s approval at its Feb. 7 meeting.
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