Whistler Council has approved a recommendation from staff to expand the Whistler transit system, leveraging pay parking revenue to offset costs.
A summary of the council meetings by RMOW notes that if approved by the Province, this investment will add five vehicles and 19,200 hours of operation to the system in 2025 and early 2026. Staff also presented the proposal for three more buses and 8,600 hours the next year, pending review.
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Routes 21, 30 and 10 will stand to benefit. In year 2, service is also proposed to return to Alta Lake Road in 2026 and increase hours to the number 6 route. However, upgrades beyond 2025 will happen after staff and BC Transit review the proposals.
“I’m excited about this next expansion. It’s something I know we’ve been waiting for for a long time, and I think this moves us in the right direction as far as our climate targets are concerned,” said Mayor Jack Crompton. “We need to do more, but this really is a positive step. We’re going to continue to make those requests for expansion.”
In addition to previewing upcoming changes, the presentation reviewed some recent upgrade success stories, noting how they are being received within the community.
Noteworthy highlights included:
- 44 percent usage increase of the secure Bike Valet service, offered in three locations to encourage riding to the village and parks;
- the addition of more secure bike parking and more pay-to-ride Evolve e-bikes;
- ridership growth on the Rainbow Park and Lost Lake shuttles, most significantly on the Lost Lake shuttle (up 25 percent);
- UMO transit app arrival for simple payment and
- the bike lane test on Village Gate Boulevard from Blackcomb Way to the bus shelter.
This year, an increase in 7,650 additional transit hours, or 10 percent, was already approved.