A number of RDN transit routes will have new names starting Jan. 5, 2025, as BC Transit continues to makes changes they say improves the service level for local riders. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

transit changes

Route name changes and improved Nanaimo connections coming to RDN Transit system

Jan 2, 2025 | 5:21 AM

NANAIMO — Changes are coming to the Regional District of Nanaimo’s transit line starting on Sunday, Jan. 5, including more transit hours, improved route-to-route connection, and re-naming routes to better reflect their usage.

One of the biggest name changes is to Route 50 Woodgrove/Downtown, which will be rebranded as the Route 1 Nanaimo Rapid Line, along with improved frequency to match the growing demand.

Senior manager of government relations with BC Transit Seth Wright said establishing the Rapid Line was a big part of their five-year plan to expand the RDN transit system locally.

“It’s to make it more clear what the hierarchy of the routes is. So we’re going to establish the key number one, two, and three routes in the coming years, and route 50 is the key corridor route that gets you from north Nanaimo to downtown the fastest.”

The current Route 1 (Downtown/Country Club) will become the 72 Downtown/Country Club, while Route 91 Intercity (Qualicum Beach/Woodgrove) will be renamed the 9 Intercity Line.

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“The Route 9 Intercity between Qualicum Beach and Woodgrove will have improved connections with Route 1 to let people travel further north to the Oceanside area better and increased services during select periods of the day,” said Wright.

Route 11 Lantzville will become the 31 Latnzville, extending further on Latnzville Rd. in order to serve the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation.

Direct service on McGirr Rd. to Dover Bay Secondary School will be discontinued with the changes, but key connections with Route 20 (Hammond Bay/Dover) will be created to fill the gap.

Buses will also be running every 60 minutes during peak times during the week with service hours extending further into the evening, with six additional heavy-duty buses being added to the route as they become available.

Wright said this is part of a long-term strategy to redevelop the RDN transit system, made possible by additional funding from local and provincial governments.

“The RDN has been asking for this investment for a long time. This year we’re able to celebrate. We’re excited about this expansion and this will continue in the coming years as we’re able to access the expansion opportunities.”

More information on the upcoming changes can be found here on the BC Transit website.

BC Transit will also be offering free service on Tuesday, Dec. 31 starting at 6 p.m. A full late-night schedule for New Years Eve can be found here.

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