1,000 service hours are being added to the Nanaimo-Cowichan Express, beginning Aug. 31. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

island connections

Nanaimo-Cowichan transit link expanding to include Sunday & stat holiday service

Jun 11, 2025 | 12:06 PM

NANAIMO — A transit connection linking much of the central Island with the Cowichan Valley and Victoria is expanding.

Beginning Aug. 31, the Nanaimo-Cowichan Express (NCX) will add Sunday’s and statutory holidays to the schedule, adding 1,000 service hours to the system, meaning buses will run up and down much of Vancouver Island seven days per week.

Scott Myers, the Regional District of Nanaimo’s superintendent of transit operations, said during a Tuesday, June 10 board meeting, the move locally mirrors one made on a similar service connecting the Duncan area to Victoria.

“This aligns with the Cowichan-Victoria (CVX) expansion that is increasing its service as well. Sunday NCX service will be coordinated with the CVX for bi-directional travel between Victoria and Duncan.”

The expansion was planned for in a memorandum of understanding signed between the RDN and BC Transit, outlining plans for service in the region.

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A full schedule will be posted at a later date.

It comes after 500 service hours were added to the route in September 2024, extending Friday and Saturday night service.

While Myers didn’t have data on expected ridership gains, he said adding service on Sunday’s and statutory holidays was a boost for overall connectivity.

“The major win with this is that it will connect with the Cowichan to Victoria…so that’s where the real gain here is. We’re increasing the connection, which we expect will increase the ridership.”

Not all Directors were supportive of the expansion.

Area A director Jessica Stanley, who represents residents in Cedar, South Wellington, Yellow Point and Cassidy, suggested her residents can’t take advantage of this service due to a lack of more localized transit options in rural areas on Sunday’s and holidays.

“It’s a community that we have to contribute to [the bus service], but it drives by our community. There’s Sunday bus service that we can’t get on, but we pay for and yet our own local buses don’t run, so it’s frustrating.”

She said a city-to-city bus service should be funded by the province.

Responding to Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog’s comments earlier, thanking RDN staff for the addition, Stanley ended her comments by saying “I hope you enjoy it.”

She was the lone vote against expansion.

Director Paul Manly agreed with much of what Stanley said, while supporting expansion of the NCX.

“I think we need to ensure there are a couple more stops along the way. I know in particular parts of [Stanley’s] area aren’t served well by bus and I’ve worked with youth in that area that have worked in Nanaimo and tried to get transportation to and from the area…it’s not possible.”

Staff indicated they will report back to the Board regarding weekend transit in rural areas of the RDN.

The NCX was launched in March 2022 and effectively connects Qualicum to Victoria by transit, with future plans calling for better connections with the Comox Valley.

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