FRIDAY OCT 6, 2017
VOL. 43, NO. 37
$1
including GST
Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Foodie feature
A speedie and versatile sushi recipe to please guests and picky kids
20 years at the Gallery
Looking back at the beginning, with Betty Dhont
Highs and lows...
Of climbing Everest, and the leisurely trek to Base Camp
TransLink representatives float “On-Demand Bus” pilot project MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
Who needs a rink when you’ve got tennis courts and a torrential downpour? Five teams of four kids played a spirited road hockey tournament guided by Sarah Bristow and energized by cookies from the Village Baker. photo submitted, Rebecca Lyne Bowen Rec
Representatives from TransLink presented their idea for a new pilot project to improve bus service on Bowen Island at this week’s Transportation Advisory Committee meeting (BIMTAC). They said the idea, which is currently “in the exploratory stages” has been formed in response to feedback gathered through the Integrated Tranportation Master Plan. “The top transit improvements collected by stakeholder groups, about 30% listed on-demand service as a key transit improvement they’d like to see. I think the top item, about 40% was extending evening service,” said Andrew McCurran, Director of Strategic Planning and Policy. “We also at TransLink have observed challenges with service in terms of no automated-vehicle location capabilities. There is also a practice of passengers drivers for pick-ups which can lead potentially to safety issues. Stop uncertainty, particularly in poor conditions - rain, snow, it’s dark a driver might not be able to see a passenger trying to flag the bus down.” McCurran listed these, and several other operational issues that could potentially be resolved through the launch of a new pilot project. “The idea is to take the existing buses, the existing drivers and existing service hours - so it is within the context of what we already have here - and seeing if we can deliver them in a more responsive way... it is more appropriate to call what we are proposing a deviated fixed route,” he said. “Drivers would have an app with an ipad by the dashboard, and then riders would be encouraged to download an app as well. Obviously we would need to make provisions for people who don’t have a smartphone.” As people requested rides, McCurran explained, the app would suggest a bus stop
point maximizing route efficiency for both the driver and passenger. He added that a top priority in the creation of such deviated routes would be to ensure people who were looking to get on the ferry did not miss their connection. “We think this concept have a lot of potential in lower density, lower demand parts of the region, other parts of the region that maybe don’t have great transit service today... Maybe through some more dynamic service and matching, could use the same hours to provide a lot better service,” said McCurran. “Given the high support that we’ve heard from stakeholder conversations here on Bowen, support from council and staff have indicated a keenness... it’s a very good test for us. So if you’re keen as a community, we look forward to working with you.” He said TransLink would be looking to launch the pilot in early 2018, and run it for approximately one year. Transportation Committee Chair David Hocking brought up the fact that a key request by Bowen Islanders has been a taxi service, and now that one exists, there is fear that on-demand bus service could damage the taxi service. McCurran said that TransLink sees taxis as a critical part of the “transportation ecosystem,” and re-stated his perspective that the pilot project would simply be providing the same service that exists today, in a better way. “The proposal isn’t to go up to your door, but maybe to adjust the timing... which potentially we have the ability to book some time in advance. If you know you are going to the ferry at a certain time, you’d say ‘pick me up here,’ and we would know we were trying to get certain other rides along the way, and the app would tell you, ‘ok, the bus is coming along in 10 minutes, make your way to the corner.” continued P3