The Martlet

B.C. Transit has announced that service to UVic will be ramping up this fall, as part of an overall five per cent service increase. UVic will be served by two new routes as well as increased frequency on the 4, 14 and 26 bus routes during peak periods.

Starting Sept. 8, the number 12 UVic/University Heights will serve the area between the university and Mount Douglas, terminating at the University Heights Shopping Centre.

The number 13 UVic/Cadboro Bay will serve the area east of the university around Cadboro Bay and loop back to the university terminal.

“We’re very excited that the 12 and 13 are finally being implemented,” said University of Victoria Students’ Society (UVSS) Director of Finance Edward Pullman, adding that these routes were supposed to start last fall. “There has been a need for increased public transit in the Gordon Head and Arbutus areas, and this will help ease some of the congestion on the 11 and 26 bus routes.”

Both routes will be run by one smaller 20-seat community bus, with the number 12 route running more frequently.

The current expansion of service does not include the proposed late night bus service to UVic. That service has still not been approved, but is hoped to commence in January.

The proposed service would see the last number 14 leave downtown at about 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights instead of the current 12:30 a.m.