Hearing the call for better transit in Sooke, BC Transit answers with plans for a new exchange.
The exchange would be constructed on Wadams Way, near the Sooke branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library. While still in the early stages, the project would likely reroute the Route 65 bus to serve Church and Helgesen roads, and could also increase its frequency.
Officials are also considering rerouting two Route 61 trips – one in the morning and one in the evening – to serve these areas.
The project was presented to council on June 9 by BC Transit officials who sought both approval of their design and support to complete a funding request to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission.
The motion passed unanimously.
In next steps, if the funding request is successful, BC Transit will develop a business case for provincial funding. If then successful, a design would be finalized, and construction could begin.
The project is contingent on acquiring $2 million in funding from the Victoria Regional Transit Commission and the province, which would cover 100 per cent of the cost.
The new exchange would facilitate multiple routes and a hub for buses that currently have little layover space within the district.
During the council meeting, Coun. Tony St-Pierre suggested washrooms be added to the design plan. BC Transit staff told St-Pierre that it would be possible, but would require further commitments from the district to assist in maintaining the facilities.
Coun. Jeff Bateman used the opportunity with transit officials to not only speak on the need for more bus stops, but also for larger buses.
“Eighty diesel double deckers are in the works or on order — can we count on getting a few of those onto Sooke 61 routes?” he asked.
BC Transit representatives said they would look into it, although they could not give a guarantee.
“We will be looking very carefully at all the routes we historically operated double deckers on, and make sure we are going through a fair, equitable process and we’re comparing apples to apples,” said Levi Megenbir, manager of service planning.
“There is a lot of need throughout the system, and so we can’t promise at this point for sure that double deckers will be returning to Sooke.”
