Frustrated by prolonged commutes and unpredictable wait times, Sooke residents are rallying behind a petition urging B.C. Transit to reroute bus No. 61 to establish a more direct connection between Sooke and downtown Victoria.
The proposed route would not require a transfer to a second bus at the Langford exchange, potentially reducing travel times.
Heather Nelson, a Sooke resident who initiated the petition says the current commute between Sooke and downtown Victoria takes up to two hours due to having to go to Langford exchange and switch to the No. 95 bus.
The journey introduced last spring with the No. 95, also known as Blink, relies heavily on precise bus timings, a rarity, Nelson said.
The petition argues that rerouting the No. 61 bus directly to downtown Victoria through the Langford exchange would not diminish Langford access and could restore the functionality of the transit app, rendering it more useful for efficient journey planning.
“The petition is not just about convenience, it’s about improving the quality of life for Sooke residents who commute daily for work or leisure activities in downtown Victoria,” Nelson said.
B.C. Transit, in response to the petition, clarified that during peak travel hours – specifically, the morning and afternoon commute – route 61 already bypasses the Langford exchange, eliminating the need for a transfer to route 95.
The transit agency highlighted significant service improvements to route 61 since the launch of route 95 in April 2023. The updated schedule includes a 36 per cent increase in weekday trips, a 47 per cent increase on Saturdays, and a 40 per cent increase on Sundays.
Responding to the query about factors leading to the current route configuration, B.C. Transit mentioned that transfers are only required during non-peak hours, and schedules have been designed to minimize the impact on customers making transfers in Langford.
B.C. Transit said transfers are only required during non-peak hours, and schedules have been designed to minimize the impact on customers making transfers in Langford.
With the petition having garnered more than 660 signatures, organizers aim to surpass 1,000, and submit it to B.C. Transit.
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