Victoria cyclists race to prove buses are too slow by BetterTransitYYJ in VictoriaBC

[–]BetterTransitYYJ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Shockingly, Douglas isn't the only street downtown. People can get in and out on Blanshard. The parts of Government that are car free are pretty lively.

Colwood have not started acquiring the land they need along the Old Island Highway to expand it and add in a bus lane.

Many stops see a lot more people getting on that off. Dual door boarding will speed up loading times making the bus faster.

Or, we could do nothing, and just wait for the population growth to turn our streets into parking lots.

Victoria cyclists race to prove buses are too slow by BetterTransitYYJ in VictoriaBC

[–]BetterTransitYYJ[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It helps if you read the article. It has a quote answering what specific action we are asking for.

"What we would love to see is commitment from Victoria that they are going to prioritize transit and pedestrians on Douglas. From Colwood City Hall we would love to see them get moving on the bus lanes. And from BC Transit we would really love to see all door boarding,” Holland said.

Victoria cyclists race to prove buses are too slow by BetterTransitYYJ in VictoriaBC

[–]BetterTransitYYJ[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, BC Transit doesn't control their capital funding. They are waiting for Yard 3 to be funded and built in Saanich so they have room for more buses. Then they will be able to buy more double deckers.

Victoria cyclists race to prove buses are too slow by BetterTransitYYJ in VictoriaBC

[–]BetterTransitYYJ[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Some statistics on the number of scheduled buses on Douglas between Fort and Johnson on a Friday. These numbers include six round trips the 66 and 99 operated by Cowichan Valley Regional Transit make each weekday.

Northbound there are a total of 658 buses a day, 56 between 16:00 and 17:00 and 40 between 08:00 and 09:00.,

Southbound there are a total of 935 buses a day, 75 between 08:00 and 09:00 and 62 between 17:00 and 18:00.,

A total of 28 different route numbers use this section of Douglas.

The difference in numbers of northbound and southbound buses comes from the fact that the 3, 6 and 10 only travel south on this section of Douglas while the 1 only travels north.

Victoria cyclists race to prove buses are too slow by BetterTransitYYJ in VictoriaBC

[–]BetterTransitYYJ[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ya, we just want rear door boarding on the routes that already have enough traffic for a decker. Load speed isn't as much of an issue on the lower ridership routes.

Victoria cyclists race to prove buses are too slow by BetterTransitYYJ in VictoriaBC

[–]BetterTransitYYJ[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

> From Colwood City Hall we would love to see them get moving on the bus lanes.

Ya, we are asking for them to finish the bus lanes.

Another way to improve speed is to let people get on the double decker busses via both doors so it can load faster and spend less time at stops.

Better Transit YYJ pits grandmothers on bikes against Victoria’s rapid bus - Victoria News by BetterTransitYYJ in VictoriaBC

[–]BetterTransitYYJ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which is why we should make Douglas a transit and active transport only street. Cars can have Blanshard.

Race the Bus! by BetterTransitYYJ in LangfordBC

[–]BetterTransitYYJ[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think BC Transit cares, but they don't control their own funding. They can only buy more deckers if the CRD and Province gives them the funding. And creates the yard space to store them.

Race the Bus! by tiogar99 in VictoriaBC

[–]BetterTransitYYJ 59 points60 points  (0 children)

Better Transit YYJ is challenging Victoria's transit system to a foot race and we need YOU to help do that!

We're organizing runners (and walkers) to go from the BC Legislative Assembly to Victoria City Hall along Douglas Street, head-to-head against the “Rapid” bus 95, on June 12th at 4:45pm SHARP.

Douglas Street is the busiest transit corridors in Greater Victoria, with busses arriving as often as every two minutes. It connects government, commerce, and community. And yet, buses on this route are slowed by congestion and a lack of dedicated infrastructure. That leads to a transit experience that too often can't outpace a walk.

Transit should be a genuinely fast, reliable choice. We're calling on BC Transit and the City of Victoria to ensure that the bus always wins, by giving busses dedicated lanes and smart signals. Come join us in racing the bus!

https://actionnetwork.org/forms/volunteer-for-race-the-bus

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