The Crystal Garden bus depot experiment, which started on July 1, will continue well into 2018 as worries of “walls of buses” lining Douglas Street and clouds of exhaust choking pedestrians have failed to materialize.
Victoria councillors agreed to extend the experiment from the current end date in December this year to the end of September 2018 after city staff reported that it has been working out. City staff will report back in October with recommendations for the long-term.
“The 10-month extension to Sept. 30 of 2018 is simply assurance for [bus line] Wilson’s that should they have to vacate at the end of the pilot period, which is the end of 2017, they want to have time to be able to do that,” said Brad Dellebuur, city manager of transportation.
“I think we’re all a bit surprised at how well this has gone. Kudos to our staff and to the operator for making it so,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “I think we’re seeing very positive results and we’ll continue to monitor it.”
Coun. Pam Madoff said the success is in no small measure due to the level of service provided.
“I’m thinking if the level of customer service continues and the level of responsiveness to concerns as well, that this is something we can continue to support.”
Victoria council last February reluctantly voted to approve a station and bus zone in the 700-block of Douglas Street for 18 months, after bus operators were given notice that they had to move out of the depot across the street to make way for a residential development
At the time, several councillors expressed fears about congestion, increased noise and emissions, pedestrian safety and inadequate facilities.
But several councillors conceded this week that they were pleased with the operations.
Dubbed Capital City Station, the 1,800-square-foot space operated by the Wilson’s Group includes a waiting area and ticketing services for Greyhound, B.C. Ferries Connector and Tofino Bus.
An analysis of the operation prepared by city staff notes there has been about a dozen complaints since the service began but overall there have been “no significant safety or operational issues” that should prevent its continued operation.
According to the analysis:
• Buses generally operate on schedule. More than 90 per cent of buses stay less than 30 minutes at the station and there were no more than three buses there at any time.
• There were no reported collisions involving pedestrians or cyclists and buses in the 700 block of Douglas Street.
• Interior seating and the adjoining ticket sales area have proved to be sufficient.
• During the first three months of operations, four complaints were received about idling and/or emissions, all from residents in the nearby Aria building. In each incident, the complainants were contacted, and there was followup with drivers. There have been no idling/emission complaints since September.
• Curb concierges have been hired to manage passenger activities outside the station and to minimize passenger congestion. The concierges monitor idling and parking adherence.
• Sound readings show that commercial bus idling and start-up levels were less than levels recorded for B.C. Transit operations.
• Luggage storage is to be provided for travellers this year. A washroom in the Capital City Cafe has been upgraded to be accessible.
Wilson’s plans to introduce two new electric shuttle buses to supplement its fleet of five gas-powered buses for their airport shuttle service and is planning to add patio seating to its cafe.
In conjunction with Capital City Station, a new B.C. Transit bus zone was created on the east side of Government Street, between Superior and Belleville streets, beside the Royal B.C. Museum.
City staff say they have no significant safety or efficiency concerns with that operation.
