Last month, Harling Point residents banded together to protest BC Transit’s proposed 2018 route changes which would eliminate service to the Harling Point bus stop. The group raised over 100 signatures and met with Mayor Nils Jensen to voice their concerns.
BC Transit was quick to respond to the community’s concerns. They met with two community representatives and Mayor Jensen on Nov. 6 and have since adjusted the route change to not only reinstate the Harling Point stop but also to expand service to the community.
“We heard the concerns of the community, and are pleased that we were able to find a solution to continue serving the Harling Point bus stop,” says Jonathon Dyck, BC Transit Communications Manager.
“They’ve really thought this through and it’s a brilliant adjustment to service,” says Harling Point resident Maureen Bradley.
BC Transit will extend the route of the newly proposed #3 route to go to Harling point and will mean increased service as it is a two-way route. The community will still have the steady service to downtown as it had before but will also have new service to Oak Bay village, Fort/Foul Bay and the Jubilee hospital.
“The community showed us a desire and commitment to transit, and we will need their continued support,” says Dyck. “The bus stop was going to be removed, in part, due to low ridership. Therefore, we will be looking for the community to support transit by taking transit as a sustainable, effective, and efficient transit option.”
They will be monitoring the new routing during the first few months and might make adjustments later.
“Suffice it to say that our community is thrilled. It’s great to get some good news and show our kids how important civic engagement is,” says Bradley.
keri.coles@oakbaynews.com