Service will start Jan. 7 on board local buses to connect downtown Nanaimo with the Hullo ferry terminal. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

direct connection

Route tweak opening up transit connection to Nanaimo’s Hullo ferry terminal

Dec 15, 2023 | 5:28 AM

NANAIMO — Regular transit service will soon help convert riders of local buses into passengers of the new fast ferry service.

Beginning Jan. 7, 2024, the Regional District of Nanaimo network will adjust route 25 to include a quick trip from Port Place Shopping Centre to the Nanaimo Port Authority building and terminal for Hullo fast ferries.

Darren Marshall, senior manager of RDN transit services, told NanaimoNewsNOW connecting the terminal to the transit network was a frequent request from riders wanting to take advantage of the fast ferry service.

“Prior to and since the launch…at the end of August, we’ve had many inquiries to get continuous service down to the terminal, so that passengers can transfer out at any of the exchange locations and hop onto the shuttle and find themselves at either Departure Bay or Hullo ferry terminal.”

Three trips from Port Place to the Hullo terminal will be scheduled daily through the winter, to line up with departures from Nanaimo to Vancouver.

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A revision of the bus schedule will occur as Hullo adjusts to the busier months.

Specific scheduled are due to be announced by the RDN prior to Christmas.

In order to make the change, the RDN had to take route 25 connections away from Vancouver Island University with the bus now essentially sticking to Hwy. 19 from Woodgrove Centre, to Country Club Centre, to Departure Bay BC Ferries terminal then downtown.

“Early planning process was that we were just going to add a segment from 1 Port Dr. exchange to extend to the Hullo ferry terminal, however we are currently in an expansion freeze so we can’t get the additional hours for that.”

Removing VIU from the route means the move is cost-neutral.

Other connections via routes 5, 6, 8, 15 or 40 will ensure plenty of options for those wanting to head to or from the campus.

Hullo reported over 100,000 people had travelled on board one of their two ships as of early December.

The company launched a shuttle service connecting with downtown hotels shortly after its August launch.

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