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Bus fares hiked in Pemberton Valley

SLRD blames rising operating costs

Due to rising operating costs the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, the Village of Pemberton and the Mount Currie Band have agreed to increase the price of some bus tickets by as much as $25 per month on the Pemberton Valley Transit System.

This decision will affect commuters who catch buses between Whistler, Pemberton and Mount Currie.

It also comes just two weeks after Whistler’s manager of Public Works and Engineering, Brian Barnett, made a presentation to Pemberton council about the need for a regional transit system.

Commuters who buy monthly passes will be asked to pay an extra $25 a month, to $75 for adults. Ten-ticket passes will increase by up to $4.50, to $27 for adults.

The SLRD’s chief administrator, Paul Edgington, said the prices had been raised because of increases in fuel and general operating costs. Edgington added that prices were also being hiked because they were not on par with what people were paying in other districts.

"We’ve been trying to keep the subsidy at… historic levels," said Edgington. "And fares weren’t really consistent with what others pay so we decided to charge a little extra."

Pemberton Mayor Elinor Warner said other options had been explored but at this point the prices had to go up.

"We’ve subsidized this service from the beginning but the costs went up and some of those costs have to go back to the taxpayer.

"Mount Currie pays 40 per cent, Pemberton 40 per cent and Area C pays 20 per cent of the subsidies, so it’s pretty fair."

Warner said she would have preferred to see more bus services on a Saturday but indicated that that could be something that is organized under a regional transport plan.

1 trip 10 Tickets Monthly Pass

Adult, local $2 (1.75) $18 (15.75) $75 (50)

Student/Senior, local $1.75 (1.50) $15.75 (13.50) $50 (35)

Adult $3 (2.50) $27 (22.50) $75 (50)

Student/Senior $2.50 (2) $22.50 (18) $50 (35)

(old prices in brackets)