TUESDAY September 23, 2014 Vol. 29 • No. 76 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
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Bus fares on the rise
BACK TO SCHOOL
Committee approves 25-cent increase for 2015 Scott Stanfield Record Staff
PHOTO BY ERIN HALUSCHAK
There were plenty of smiles on the first day of school from Chase, who is entering Grade 4, and her dad Ryan at Queneesh Elementary in Courtenay Monday morning. Monday was the first official day of school following the months-long teachers strike in the province.
Transit users in the Comox Valley could be facing a 25-cent fare increase for rides in the new year, though the price of monthly bus passes would remain the same. Last week, the regional district committee of the whole approved a recommended increase to bump regular fares to $2. Seniors and youth would pay $1.75. Courtenay directors Starr Winchester and Bill Anglin opposed the fare structure option. The last fare increase was July 1, 2011. The CVRD receives 100 per cent of revenue from bus fares, passes, tickets sales and HandyDART. Although yearly revenue has increased by $31,400, ridership is down by 18,000 trips per year. However, transit manager
Michael Zbarsky expects ridership to increase as the CVRD has 650 hours of service improvements in store. The committee approved recommended improvements that include a limited stop express service from Courtenay to Comox. A focus on peak commuter hours is expected to serve a greater number of residents. An amended Route 12 (North Valley Connector) would enable students north of Courtenay to reach North Island College directly rather than transferring downtown. A further amendment to Route 2 (Cumberland) would enable better access through a denser area including the Ulverston Station neighbourhood. The latter is subject to approval from Cumberland council. Route changes are a result of public consultation and direction from the CVRD board. “The main point is to grow ridership,” Cumberland Director Gwyn Sproule said at Tuesday’s COW meeting.
... see TRANSIT ■ 5
Preliminary plans for new Comox Marina Park revealed to residents Erin Haluschak Record Staff
With hopes of bringing more locals and visitors to the Comox waterfront and connecting them to downtown, residents had an opportunity Wednesday to view preliminary designs for the Marina Park vitalization plan. The open house featured a chance to talk with the designers and consultants, view schematic drawings and a miniature replica of the design and marina. “We’ve had a stakeholder review, and what is important is that the waterfront will improve
business for the community at large,” explained architect Steve Cohlmeyer to Comox council prior to the meeting. “The park is beautiful, but a bit under-used.” Cohlmeyer added he hopes his design will not only make it easier, more accessible and more inviting for the public to get to the park and waterfront, but also to increase the reasons to visit. “We want to make it a place to enjoy and to foster economic growth and increase social wellbeing.” With a Phase 1 cost of $1.6 million, funding would be split 25
per cent by the Town of Comox ($400,000), an application to Island Coastal Economic Trust (for $400,000) and 50 per cent by an application to Western Economic Diversification. Cohlmeyer described in his presentation he envisions developing more of a connection to downtown, by making both the west and east sides of the park more inviting. His vision includes creating transition zones and rest stops, along with making more openings through the downtown buildings towards the park, “and crescendo at the gazebo.”
... see PARK ■ 7
PHOTO BY ERIN HALUSCHAK
Residents had an opportunity Wednesday to view preliminary designs for the Marina Park vitalization plan in Comox.
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