Municipal Election 2022: Chilliwack Public Transit Survey
BC Transit provides Public Transportation for communities across the Fraser Valley, including Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, and Hope. In addition it provides connections to Translink services in Aldergrove, Walnut Grove, and Burnaby. These services are operated out of two facilities, one in Abbotsford, and the other in Chilliwack. The Abbotsford facility serves Abbotsford & Mission, while the rest of the communities service originates in the Chilliwack yard, making it of key importance to the entire Fraser Valley & into Metro Vancouver.
Public Transit & Bicycles go together like peanut butter and jelly, so we sent out a brief questionnaire to each candidate for Mayor & Council in Chilliwack. We are refraining from endorsing any candidates but are providing their responses here (as they come in) to help you make your choice in the 2022 Municipal Election in Chilliwack.
Responses to questions are posted below from candidates as they are received with newest responses showing first, additional comments that were not in response to our questions have been left out. We thank all participants for taking the time to respond.
1. Will you prioritize the opening of a new transit operations facility? The current facilities are holding the city back from growing transit, and adopting a cleaner fleet of transit vehicles.
did not answer
2. Will you prioritize the construction of a proper downtown transit exchange? The current setup requires transit vehicles to make large loops around a variety of city blocks and through a number of signalized intersections just to turn around at the end of a route or to switch from one route to another. This is a major detriment to providing frequent and reliable transit. Passengers may need to travel a great distance just to get from one of our current "downtown exchange" stops to another.
did not answer
3. Will you support increased service levels and reliability, including on Sunday's & Holidays? People who get around by transit need to do so, even on the weekend. On Sundays, the main route in Chilliwack, route 51 only runs hourly, with a late start and early end.
did not answer
4. Will you work to see Handy Dart service extended to weekends? In Chilliwack, people who rely on Handy Dart to get around, are not able to do so except during "normal business hours" Monday-Friday. This is inequitable.
did not answer
Response to questionnaire provided as a short statement
“I believe there is a need for 3 transit hubs in our growing city. They should be situated at the North, South and Central part of the city with a long term view of facilitating regional transport options that are efficient and effective.”
1. Will you prioritize the opening of a new transit operations facility? The current facilities are holding the city back from growing transit, and adopting a cleaner fleet of transit vehicles.
Yes, Innovations in transportation are needed to impact the greater community in a positive way. A new transit operations facility would have a positive impact on our community and would better support our first nations communities that do not currently have good solutions for transit. A green fleet is the only option as we move forward with new transit vehicles for the city.
2. Will you prioritize the construction of a proper downtown transit exchange? The current setup requires transit vehicles to make large loops around a variety of city blocks and through a number of signalized intersections just to turn around at the end of a route or to switch from one route to another. This is a major detriment to providing frequent and reliable transit. Passengers may need to travel a great distance just to get from one of our current "downtown exchange" stops to another.
Yes, we need to support a better transit system that is timely and efficient for all concerned.
3. Will you support increased service levels and reliability, including on Sunday's & Holidays? People who get around by transit need to do so, even on the weekend. On Sundays, the main route in Chilliwack, route 51 only runs hourly, with a late start and early end.
Yes, we need extended service hours that impact those individuals going to and from work at all hours and days of the week. Also for those going to more rural routes. A reliable transit service will mean increased ridership
4. Will you work to see Handy Dart service extended to weekends? In Chilliwack, people who rely on Handy Dart to get around, are not able to do so except during "normal business hours" Monday-Friday. This is inequitable.
I agree. I am currently working with partners of Chilliwack Healthier Community around equitable and inclusive needs for Handy Dart services in Chilliwack. The stoppage is coming from the Provincial level rather than from the local level. We need to continue to be assertive at the table with our Provincial partners.
1. Will you prioritize the opening of a new transit operations facility? The current facilities are holding the city back from growing transit, and adopting a cleaner fleet of transit vehicles.
I support building our our transit system. If a new operations facility is part of that system then I would advocate for that.
2. Will you prioritize the construction of a proper downtown transit exchange? The current setup requires transit vehicles to make large loops around a variety of city blocks and through a number of signalized intersections just to turn around at the end of a route or to switch from one route to another. This is a major detriment to providing frequent and reliable transit. Passengers may need to travel a great distance just to get from one of our current "downtown exchange" stops to another.
As the downtown is being redeveloped we should certainly look at how to better integrate transit and improve service. A formal downtown exchange sounds like a great idea and a good way to centre the transit around downtown.
3. Will you support increased service levels and reliability, including on Sunday's & Holidays? People who get around by transit need to do so, even on the weekend. On Sundays, the main route in Chilliwack, route 51 only runs hourly, with a late start and early end.
Yes, we can’t expect transit adoption to increase if we aren’t making it accessible at all times.
4. Will you work to see Handy Dart service extended to weekends? In Chilliwack, people who rely on Handy Dart to get around, are not able to do so except during "normal business hours" Monday-Friday. This is inequitable.
Yes, I agree this is inequitable. Individuals using this service should be able to access it on weekends as well.
1. Will you prioritize the opening of a new transit operations facility? The current facilities are holding the city back from growing transit, and adopting a cleaner fleet of transit vehicles.
I would be in support of any decision that would improve public transit for the citizens of Chilliwack. Reading over our Transit Future Action Plan shows that this is a future growth item. I would love to meet with your team to discuss current challenges with this and get more information.
2. Will you prioritize the construction of a proper downtown transit exchange? The current setup requires transit vehicles to make large loops around a variety of city blocks and through a number of signalized intersections just to turn around at the end of a route or to switch from one route to another. This is a major detriment to providing frequent and reliable transit. Passengers may need to travel a great distance just to get from one of our current "downtown exchange" stops to another.
Frequent, affordable and reliable public transit is a priority for me. Efficiency is also something that I value greatly, both from a rider and cost perspective, as well as for overall job satisfaction of our valued transit operators. I am open to hearing perspectives, and am in support of motions that improve transit frequency, reliability and cost!
3. Will you support increased service levels and reliability, including on Sunday's & Holidays? People who get around by transit need to do so, even on the weekend. On Sundays, the main route in Chilliwack, route 51 only runs hourly, with a late start and early end.
I believe that transit is needed 365 days a year, and that Sunday and holiday services are important.
4. Will you work to see Handy Dart service extended to weekends? In Chilliwack, people who rely on Handy Dart to get around, are not able to do so except during "normal business hours" Monday-Friday. This is inequitable.
Accessibility is a priority for me. Meeting the needs of our marginalized citizens is a testament to our health as a community, and deficits in this area need to be addressed. Equity is the only way forward, in my opinion, and I will support motions that create opportunities for increased access to transit.
1. Will you prioritize the opening of a new transit operations facility? The current facilities are holding the city back from growing transit, and adopting a cleaner fleet of transit vehicles.
Yes - the City as part of it’s “green plan” need to transition to a green fleet. I have and will continue to lobby for this. A modern transit facility is required especially with the changing needs of a “greener” fleet
2. Will you prioritize the construction of a proper downtown transit exchange? The current setup requires transit vehicles to make large loops around a variety of city blocks and through a number of signalized intersections just to turn around at the end of a route or to switch from one route to another. This is a major detriment to providing frequent and reliable transit. Passengers may need to travel a great distance just to get from one of our current "downtown exchange" stops to another.
Yes - agree fully
3. Will you support increased service levels and reliability, including on Sunday's & Holidays? People who get around by transit need to do so, even on the weekend. On Sundays, the main route in Chilliwack, route 51 only runs hourly, with a late start and early end.
Yes - we need to continue to work with BC Transit to add hours to our buses. This then requires an increased budget allocation from the city which I support. This also fits nicely with the “green” plan
4. Will you work to see Handy Dart service extended to weekends? In Chilliwack, people who rely on Handy Dart to get around, are not able to do so except during "normal business hours" Monday-Friday. This is inequitable.
Yes - couldn’t agree more!
1. Will you prioritize the opening of a new transit operations facility? The current facilities are holding the city back from growing transit, and adopting a cleaner fleet of transit vehicles.
Yes. Not only that, I have actively raised the concern directly with the Ministry of Transportation, and BC Transit. Including providing solutions to assist finding a suitable location, and advocating to expand the current gas tax eligibility for the acquisition of land for a new facility
2. Will you prioritize the construction of a proper downtown transit exchange? The current setup requires transit vehicles to make large loops around a variety of city blocks and through a number of signalized intersections just to turn around at the end of a route or to switch from one route to another. This is a major detriment to providing frequent and reliable transit. Passengers may need to travel a great distance just to get from one of our current "downtown exchange" stops to another.
Yes. With the redevelopment downtown (District 1881, Maan Property, Wellington/Main) I believe we have an opportunity to re-think the downtown exchange to make it easier and more efficient for riders.
3. Will you support increased service levels and reliability, including on Sunday's & Holidays? People who get around by transit need to do so, even on the weekend. On Sundays, the main route in Chilliwack, route 51 only runs hourly, with a late start and early end.
Yes. I have a long public track record of supporting increased transit services. I was the Chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee when we completed the last Transit Future Action plan implementing the largest increase in service hours in Chilliwack's history. It's also important to note that even though the City put forward a suite of increases this last term - the Province of British Columbia froze the BC Transit budget - putting all of our planned expansion on hold.
4. Will you work to see Handy Dart service extended to weekends? In Chilliwack, people who rely on Handy Dart to get around, are not able to do so except during "normal business hours" Monday-Friday. This is inequitable.
I agree, which is why I raised the concern with our Transportation Advisory Committee, as well as the Minister of Transportation, and Minister of State for Transportation this last UBCM. The City of Chilliwack is actively looking at how we can re-allocate our local cost share to increase service hours for Handy Dart without waiting for the Province to un-freeze it's funding for Handy Dart.
1. Will you prioritize the opening of a new transit operations facility? The current facilities are holding the city back from growing transit, and adopting a cleaner fleet of transit vehicles.
BC Transit has told us they have funding in place for a new facility but the biggest issue we have is finding the available acreage to put it. In order to be long-term, we need a 5-10 acre parcel. Traditional industrial land is rare and priced at a premium and the ALC will not allow us to use Ag land (Parr road was submitted to the ALC and they would not even consider it) First Nations land is a consideration as well as looking at outlying areas.
2. Will you prioritize the construction of a proper downtown transit exchange? The current setup requires transit vehicles to make large loops around a variety of city blocks and through a number of signalized intersections just to turn around at the end of a route or to switch from one route to another. This is a major detriment to providing frequent and reliable transit. Passengers may need to travel a great distance just to get from one of our current "downtown exchange" stops to another.
Yes, we do need to have proper exchanges and it is about finding the proper place for it so it is not a hindrance to traffic. The city currently owns a property that could fulfill the exchange requirements and is working with BC Transit on making it happen.
3. Will you support increased service levels and reliability, including on Sunday's & Holidays? People who get around by transit need to do so, even on the weekend. On Sundays, the main route in Chilliwack, route 51 only runs hourly, with a late start and early end.
Service and reliability are the main drivers to getting people out of their cars and into transit. We developed an expansion to transit schedules through consultation between TAC and BC Transit which was submitted to the Ministry for approval. Unfortunately, the Ministry froze all funding for transit this year. The municipal portion was approved by Council at the recommendation of TAC.
4. Will you work to see Handy Dart service extended to weekends? In Chilliwack, people who rely on Handy Dart to get around, are not able to do so except during "normal business hours" Monday-Friday. This is inequitable.
Once again, after hearing from the seniors and those with accessibility needs we put forth a new Handidart schedule that would see longer weekday hours and a weekend schedule. it was approved by council and we are now awaiting BC Transit approval. The other issue is now finding drivers as transit has not been exempt from the current labour shortage.
1. Will you prioritize the opening of a new transit operations facility? The current facilities are holding the city back from growing transit, and adopting a cleaner fleet of transit vehicles.
Yes. And a proper Ebus stop. A gravel pit behind the Husky is Mickey Mouse hillbilly stuff.
2. Will you prioritize the construction of a proper downtown transit exchange? The current setup requires transit vehicles to make large loops around a variety of city blocks and through a number of signalized intersections just to turn around at the end of a route or to switch from one route to another. This is a major detriment to providing frequent and reliable transit. Passengers may need to travel a great distance just to get from one of our current "downtown exchange" stops to another.
A Vedder loop and a downtown loop, safe well lit with security details to get rid of homeless lingering. Anti-sleeping benches. More buggy confiscation who will make the loops home.
3. Will you support increased service levels and reliability, including on Sunday's & Holidays? People who get around by transit need to do so, even on the weekend. On Sundays, the main route in Chilliwack, route 51 only runs hourly, with a late start and early end.
Yes. Half hour runs. Waiting 45 minutes is ridiculous. Two additional buses would solve this issue.
4. Will you work to see Handy Dart service extended to weekends? In Chilliwack, people who rely on Handy Dart to get around, are not able to do so except during "normal business hours" Monday-Friday. This is inequitable.
No Hand Dart on weekends is ridiculous. Time for Chilliwack to grow up. It's not a town it's actually a city and it's City Hall upper-level staff and council who has been holding transit upgrades back.