Transit Schedule Changes
Mid-Winter 2011/2012 Transit Schedule Changes coming February 23
Update on Whistler Transit Service Changes
The RMOW and BC Transit have been monitoring the new route structure, Early Winter and Winter service.
On December 19, 2011, Phase One refinements to the winter schedule were implemented by bringing all Route 1-Valley Connector trips from Cheakamus Crossing, Spring Creek, Tamarisk and Nordic into Gondola Transit Exchange until 10:00 a.m.
Phase Two refinements are more extensive and required a full schedule change. The revised schedule comes into effect Thursday, February 23, 2012 at no additional cost to the transit system. The schedule change includes the following:
- All northbound and southbound Valley Connector trips will stop at the Post #1 at the Gondola Transit Exchange for winter.
- Connections from Alpine and Nordic to Function Junction are improved for 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. work start times and from Function at 5:00, 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. work end times.
- Schedule reliability has improved by adding more recovery time for trips that have been consistently late.
- Underused service hours south of Whistler Creek have been reallocated to offset bringing the Valley Connector trips into the Gondola Transit Exchange and to add one more round trip per day to Rainbow and Emerald from the Village.
- The Rider’s Guide and web schedule has improved readability for trips serving Function Junction by adding a separate printed schedule.
Note that most bus times have shifted to accommodate these changes. See the revised schedule here. Printed schedules will be available February 20.
This mid-winter service change will be in effect through to Easter Monday, April 9, 2012. Late Winter service starts April 10 through April 22 (the last day Whistler is open for winter skiing). Spring service starts April 23, 2012.
Some transit changes are still under review:
- The success of the Tapley’s Connector new routing and Alta Vista/Blueberry service provision under the new route structure.
- New winter service levels on the Village Shuttle routes.
- New winter service levels to Emerald, Rainbow, Nordic, Spring Creek, Tamarisk and Function Junction.
The results of this review will be shared later this spring.
Google Transit Trip Planner for Whistler
Google Transit combines the latest BC Transit schedule and route information with the power of Google Maps. To help plan your trip, visit the online Trip Planner.
In the event of service changes or disruptions, Whistler Transit information is more current than Google Transit. For customer alerts, schedules and maps, or to register a comment, suggestion or complaint, fill in the on-line Customer Service Report or phone 604-932-4020.
Background
Whistler Transit System Service and Financial Reviews:
In Fall 2010, during the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) 2011 budget process, it became clear that there was a growing gap in funding needed to maintain the current transit system into the future. Council instructed staff to work with BC Transit to review the finances and service structure of the Whistler Transit system to identify a system that all partners could financially sustain.
The reviews are complete and have been presented to Council through three reports: a preliminary service review report May 17, 2011 (where the BC Transit recommendations were based on detailed ridership information gathered from mid-December 2010 through mid-February 2011), a full service review report September 6, 2011 (which included the results and changes based on the public comments through the summer) and a financial and facility report November 1, 2011. The goal of these reviews was to define and implement a transit system that the community can afford for Winter 2011/2012 and beyond. As outlined in the November 1, 2011 Council report, the combination of the results from the service review and financial review brought the $2.3Million dollar funding gap from last year down to $0.8M – as savings of $1.5M to the Whistler tax payer in 2012. The new smaller transit system of 60,500 hour service (19% cut in annual service hours) came fully into effect November 24, 2011.
Funding for the Whistler Transit System is cost shared between the RMOW and BC Transit. Decisions regarding fares, routes and service levels are made by the RMOW based on information and planning provided by BC Transit.
