There will be more Whistler Transit buses on the road in the spring, summer and fall, starting Sept. 3. Following the province’s announcement in April that it would provide its share of funds for expanded service Whistler council last week approved in principle a plan that will increase the number of buses on the road: from two to three in the fall and spring and from three to four in the summer. There were seven buses on the road last winter, providing service every 15 minutes on major routes. Some regular riders have complained about the reduction in service, to two buses, this spring. With the expanded service going into effect Sept. 3 it will mean just as many buses — three — on the road this spring as this fall. The expansion of service will mean 30-minute service throughout the day to Whistler Creek and Alpine/Emerald and increased service to Function Junction. The cost of adding extra buses is projected at $224,875, with the municipality’s portion being $31,140. An additional 95,000 passengers are expected with the expanded spring, summer and fall service. Off-season bus ridership has increased 41 per cent annually since bus service was introduced in 1992. Summer ridership has increased by 12.5 per cent annually in the same period. Whistler Transit currently operates at about a 45 per cent cost recovery basis. Cost of the service is shared by BC Transit and the municipality.
