New 'simplified' transit route network coming to Whitehorse July 1
CBC
The City of Whitehorse is replacing regular bus service with an on-request service in three neighbourhoods, adding two new transit transfer hubs, and increasing service at peak times.
It's all part of a new transit route network that will come into effect July 1.
"We've simplified [the network]," said Jason Bradshaw, the city's transit services manager, on CBC's Yukon Morning Thursday.
"A lot of the routes will be very, very similar to what you see now but what we've done is sort of change, maybe, the alignment of it."
Two new transfer hubs — at the Canada Games Centre (CGC) and at Yukon University — will be introduced to go with the one at city hall.
Bradshaw said riders will be able to transfer to other routes at those locations.
He added the new routes will be accessible on the city's transit app, beginning July 1.
Three neighbourhoods will have their regular bus service replaced by a new on-request service.
To take the bus in those neighbourhoods, riders will have to call or email Whitehorse Transit and make an appointment.
"Once we pick them up, we take them straight to CGC where they can transfer ... to get to their final destination," said Bradshaw.
He added riders in those neighbourhoods will be able to make reservations for several rides, instead of calling every time.
The change is being made in part because of very low ridership in those three neighbourhoods, said Bradshaw.
"With Raven's Ridge and Copper King, we only have a handful per month of rides from those areas," said Bradshaw. "Lobird is in a similar situation, but they're also very far outside of what our core transit services will be."
He added the city will monitor how service is delivered in those neighbourhoods for the next three to six months and make adjustments if required.
P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch is looking for 50 substitute bus drivers, and it'll be recruiting at three job fairs on Saturday, June 8. The job fairs are located at the Atlantic Superstore in Montague, Royalty Crossing in Charlottetown, and the bus parking lot of Three Oaks Senior High in Summerside. All three run from 9 a.m. until noon. Dave Gillis, the director of transportation and risk management for the Public Schools Branch, said the number of substitute drivers they're hiring isn't unusual. "We are always looking for more. Our drivers tend to have an older demographic," he said.