By David Wiwchar

"Worst intercity bus service" on island

Group launches ‘Fair Transit Campaign’

Dec 11, 2025 | 9:11 AM

Community groups are increasingly putting pressure on politicians to improve intercity bus service from Port Alberni.

Yesterday, Peter Kaegi of the Alberni Valley Transition Town Society spoke to regional district directors, urging them to advocate for frequent and affordable transit options to Nanaimo as we used to have.

“We used to have a full bus service, but over the years we’ve actually fallen behind others on the island in terms of bus service,” he said. “We actually have the worst intercity bus service of any city or region on South Vancouver Island from Campbell River through to Sooke.”

Kaegi says current bus service from Port Alberni to Nanaimo costs $45 each way for the 84km trip that happens just twice a day.

Meanwhile, the 50 kilometre trip from Qualicum to Nanaimo costs riders just $2.50 and is available 22 times a day.

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“We have just two buses into Nanaimo and a one-way fare of $45, which really means that we pay about 16 times more than citizens of Qualicum and of course as a result, we only have 1/10 of the frequency of citizens of Qualicum,” he said.

Community members have launched the ‘fair transit campaign’ and are wanting a $1.5 million government subsidy to restore better bus service to the people of Port Alberni.

ACRD Chair and Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor John Jack agreed the service is desperately needed, but said the cost to taxpayers could be challenging.