Chilliwack one of the most successful transit systems in B.C. last year with boosted ridership

Chilliwack Transit will see expanded hours and bus routes coming later this year. (Chilliwack Progress file)

As Chilliwack rolls out more transit services as part of its multi-year expansion, local ridership numbers are also on the rise.

Chilliwack became “one of the most successful transit systems” in B.C. last year with a nine per cent increase in ridership, said Coun. Sam Waddington, chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee for the City of Chilliwack.

“Talking bike lanes, transit, sidewalks and roads,” Waddington posted on social media last week during the TAC meeting. “We are rolling out 4,900 new transit hours this year.”

He was citing information and stats provided to TAC members in a report by a BC Transit official last week.

That boost in bus service expected in September is on top of an additional 6,000 hours last year and 7,600 the year before.

“This new rollout saw a nine per cent increase in ridership last year, making Chilliwack one of the most successful transit systems in B.C.,” said Waddington.

The additional service hours allowed for the No. 1 line to run every 15 minutes at peak times, up from every 20 minutes.

READ MORE: Expansion in the works

This year they are planning expanded hours of service, and route changes to No. 4 in Promontory, and earlier morning connections on No. 8 and others to connect to the FVX and Metro Vancouver transit.

READ MORE: FVX a benchmark

Route names are going up in the major cycling corridors this year and added signage on the Valley Rail Trail as the connection over Highway 1 gets built this summer with completed sections from airport Road in the downtown, to Wells Road in Sardis where it will tie into the Wiltshire Corridor all the way to Garrison Crossing by September.

@CHWKjourno

jfeinberg@theprogress.com

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