Buses are constantly coming and going at the north Nanaimo transit exchange at Woodgrove Centre. The five shelter bus loop sees more than 1,000 daily riders. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

transit exchange

RDN examines overhauling public transit loop behind Woodgrove Centre

Jan 29, 2020 | 6:29 AM

NANAIMO — Upgrades to the increasingly busy public transit exchange behind Woodgrove Centre are being considered.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) board approved going ahead with a study to identify how to improve the north Nanaimo bus loop. The existing exchange behind the mall has reached capacity with more than 1,000 daily passengers, according to the RDN.

The RDN’s manager of transit operations Darren Marshall told NanaimoNewsNOW a chunk of the adjacent parking lot could be removed and designated for their buses. Marshall said more room is required for buses at the Woodgrove Centre site, while limiting interaction between their fleet and mall traffic would be another benefit.

A staff report noted the current Woodgrove Centre location is the most suitable for a north Nanaimo transit exchange out of several other area sites.

Woodgrove Centre owner Ivanhoe Cambridge, BC Transit and the RDN will jointly fund the $50,000 study.

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A formalized agreement between the three parties allows BC Transit to lobby for senior government funding to secure funding for the north Nanaimo transit exchange upgrade project.

More than 13,000 people use public transportation daily throughout the mid island, according to the RDN.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes