Transit prices are slated to moderately rise on the mid Island after remaining stagnant for several years. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

fare hikes

RDN transit committee recommends bus fare increases

Jan 23, 2025 | 5:27 PM

NANAIMO — Riding most Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) buses is anticipated to more expensive following a review process.

The RDN Transit Committee meeting on Thursday, Jan. 23 resulted in a recommendation for the RDN board to endorse price fare changes effective April 1, 2025, and would see the cost of a single ride increase by 25 cents to $2.75.

“The average [in B.C.] is at $2.75. The average in Canada is $3.50, so the majority of systems are at higher rates. Victoria is going up to that $3.00 rate as of April,” Tessa Stewart, BC Transit business development advisor, told the committee on Thursday.

She noted the Cowichan Valley Regional District also recently raised its public transit rates and the Comox Valley’s system is under review.

Proposed price escalations for the RDN’s transit service for conventional and HandyDART service (RDN)

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In addition to a public consultation process to formulate RDN transit prices, Stewart said BC Transit analyzed similar transit systems and ridership levels across the province and country.

Increasing fares reflects a need to address rising operational costs with the aim being to balance fares and property taxation rates, Stewart said.

“That is a consideration and then looking to evaluate where fares should be in line with other transit systems.”

Fares have remained unchanged for the RDN’s transit system since 2016.

More than 560 respondents participated in an RDN transit fare review process, Stewart said, who said most participants reported their bus-riding habits would not change if prices were to rise or drop.

Despite some transit products likely rising in cost, one service will become cheaper.

The drop in bus fares for the Nanaimo-Cowichan Express represents the RDN’s desire to increase ridership on the route, while it mirrors the same rate of the Fraser Valley Express linking Burnaby and Chilliwack.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District also supports the proposed adjustment, noted Stewart.

Proposed price reductions on the Nanaimo to Cowichan Express route (RDN)

The RDN’s transit committee also recommended implementing a pair of incentive programs: proPASS, a proposed 15 per cent discount accessible through employee payroll deductions, and EcoPASS, which allows developers to pay into a transit fund in exchange for parking variances.

According to an RDN staff report, conventional and handyDART systems currently receive a little over $5 million in annual revenue, representing a 26 per cent cost recovery rate.

The proposed RDN transit fare adjustments are expected to increase annual revenue by about $157,000.

Notable RDN transit system enhancements which took effect in the new year included an improved and rebranded rapid line Route 50 Woodgrove/Downtown and improved connections between Qualicum Beach and Woodgrove Centre.

The adjustments are expected to be endorsed at an upcoming regular RDN board meeting.

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