After bouts of public input, Harling Point in south Oak Bay realized a major neighbourhood BC Transit connection would be gone in the new year.
The BC Transit route changes were set to start in January and meant the neighbourhood would lose its bus stop at Crescent and Quimper as the transit company sought to create more direct routes to main shopping centres. A second stop at Crescent and King George Terrace was also being removed leaving residents concerned about accessibility.
The neighbourhood features roughly 110 houses, filled with young families and seniors.
Put that up against Victoria Regional Transit’s 25.5 million total trips across the region last year and you can only cross your fingers for change.
So when Harling Point residents reached beyond 100 signatures they took it to the transit authority and begged for a second look.
Immediately BC Transit suggested options were available.
This week, residents learned they’d won an adjustment to the changes in the route.
The community is thrilled to have the steady service to downtown continue, with added service to Oak Bay village, Fort/Foul Bay and the Jubilee hospital.
“They’ve really thought this through and it’s a brilliant adjustment to service,” says Harling Point resident Maureen Bradley.
Considerations will continue, as transit monitors the service for potential changes down the road.
For now the neighbourhood simply celebrates the compromise. They’ll need to maintain that community support and use the transit options available in order the keep them.