BC Transit and the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) have announced that fares will be increasing in the new year.
This fare hike will come into effect on January 4th.
With the fare change, a single ride will increase from $2.25 to $2.50, an Adult 30-Day Pass will be $55 and a Concession 30-Day Pass will cost $42.
See the chart below for a full breakdown of the cost increases:
Fares for the inter-regional routes will remain unchanged at $10 for a single ride.
BC Transit says that all decisions regarding fares are determined by the CVRD.
Though prices are being increased in the region, BC Transit says they will also concurrently be expanding service in the region for transit-users.
A Sunday service will be introduced on Route 66 for the Cowichan-Victoria Express (CVX).
This will make the inter-regional service between Cowichan Valley and Victoria available seven days a week.
Some Route 66 CVX trips will also provide connections with Route 70 Nanaimo-Cowichan Express (NCX).
With this transition, some trip times on Route 6 Crofton-Chemainus and Route 36 Ladysmith-Duncan Express will be adjusted so they can provide connections to Route 66 CVX on weekdays.
With this change, BC Transit also announced the discontinuation of service to Arbutus Ridge via Route 8 Mill Bay/Duncan and Route 9 Mill Bay/Duncan.
BC Transit says that the expanded routes are being paid for by increased local and provincial funding.
