The Chilliwack
Progress Thursday
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Virus Warning
ATV
Chiefs
Parvo outbreak a concern for Chilliwack dog owners.
ATV riders say they’re listening to concerns.
Veteran blueliner back with Chilliwack Chiefs.
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FHA urges immunization as kids head back to school Billboard ads among tools used to get the word out Katie Bartel The Progress Fraser Health Authority is ramping up its vaccination efforts in Chilliwack and beyond. With 13 measles cases in B.C. since January, and five currently in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Surrey and Burnaby, FHA says it doing everything it can to stop the spread. It’s working with family phyw pharssicians, We are doing macists, public health units, and everything schools where we can… vaccination rates urging families, areInlow. Chilliwack, children, the health authority comparents to missioned a ensure they are large billboard, on protected ~ located Vedder Road Dr. Victoria Lee near Promontory Crossing, to aalert passersby of the measles o outbreak and o emphasize the importance of immunization. It’s also been in contact with a few of the local schools. While the initial case of the current outbreak was found in early August, Fraser Health purposely timed its awareness campaign to coincide with back-toschool. “We knew in summertime there isn’t as much exchange [of the infection] in terms of people being away and on holidays,” said Dr. Victoria Lee, medical health officer with Fraser Health. “But now, with back-to-school, there are a lot more social circles where measles can spread very quickly.”
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Manuel Achadinha, president and CEO of BC Transit, speaks during the BC Transit customer appreciation day at the downtown transit exchange on the corner of First and Spadina avenues on Wednesday morning. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Chilliwack bus riders thanked with cookies Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Thank you, Chilliwack, for taking the bus! That was the message from City of Chilliwack, BC Transit and elected reps, who were handing out cookies and safety lights at a customer appreciation event at the downtown transit exchange Wednesday. It was part celebration, and part official recognition of the largest transit expansion in Chilliwack’s history, with 7,500 additional service hours, statutory holiday service, and better routes. “It’s a big deal,” Coun. Jason Lum, chair of the transportation advisory committee, said of the
considerable system growth. It’s not just a significant expansion for Chilliwack, but B.C.-wide as well. “It’s one of the largest expansions we’ve had across the province,” confirmed BC Transit CEO Manuel Achadinha. “It’s a reflection of the huge commitment City of Chilliwack has for growing transit.” Chilliwack’s impressive 7,500 extra hours of bus service for 2013 is equivalent to the service increase the larger community of Victoria planned for its own system, he noted. Also when route #1, started offering speedier service last summer with a bus every 20 minutes, the ridership numbers immediately spiked to record
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levels, and have been on the rise ever since. “It’s incredible to watch how the stats have just been rising, rising, rising,” said Mayor Sharon Gaetz. She thanked the local ridership, and those who offered detailed feedback on the new bus service during transit plan consultations. “People spoke to us and we listened,” she said. Last week, service hours were increased by more than 30 per cent, along with two new bus routes and better north/ south connections to serve local schools and UFV. “Through BC Transit we are connecting communities with fast, efficient, safe and afford-
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able public transportation,” said Chilliwack MLA John Martin. The transit boost means the university and other educational facilities around Chilliwack are made even “more accessible,” and that gives everyone the option of leaving the vehicles at home. “We recognize how important public transportation is and that is why we have invested more than $96 million this year into BC Transit’s operations — the highest per capita transit investment in Canada,” he said. Plus with the ability to order transit passes online, “taking the bus is easier than ever,” Martin added. jfeinberg@theprogress.com twitter.com/chwkjourno
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