Students at University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) have endorsed two expansion proposals for the Campus Connector shuttle bus program run by the UFV Student Union Society (SUS) and UFV.
Starting in January 2015, an additional bus will be on the road between Abbotsford and Chilliwack from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., increasing daily capacity by 200 seats during peak hours.
This brings the total to four buses operating on the Abbotsford-Chilliwack route.
As well, a new connection will be added between downtown Langley and Abbotsford, with up to six roundtrips daily from 6 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Students voted online from Oct. 30 to Nov. 4 on both proposals.
Expansion of the Abbotsford-Chilliwack route had 70 per cent support at a cost of $3.50 per semester, and creation of the Langley-Abbotsford route had 53 per cent support at a cost of $5.45 per semester.
SUS is also looking ahead to the introduction of the Fraser Valley Express bus (FVX), a public transit link from Chilliwack to Langley scheduled to launch in spring/summer 2015.
SUS president Ryan Petersen said once that service is operational, the SUS hopes “to create efficiencies between the programs to create a comprehensive transit service for our students.”
Petersen said the Abbotsford-Chilliwack route saw a significant increase in ridership this year, with about 2,200 riders and 85 turn-aways each week, resulting in the referendum to expand the program.