The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) wants residents’ help to improve transit services over the next five years.
The regional district said it is looking for feedback on how to improve bus routes, schedules, service to new areas, connections, accessibility, design of the service and customer amenities at bus stops. The information and ideas collected through this round of engagement will be used to develop draft recommendations for the RDN Transit Redevelopment Strategy now underway.
“The Transit Redevelopment Strategy will create a clear, compelling and implementable plan for improving the RDN’s conventional transit services over the next five years,” said Tyler Brown, RDN chair. “It will also complement and align with local municipal plans for other types of transportation, such as walking, biking, taxi/ride hailing and car sharing.”
The strategy will also consider how transit can best support future development throughout the region, including alignment with the direction and feedback of the City of Nanaimo’s Reimagine Nanaimo official community plan process also currently underway.
“Mobility is crucial in our region to connect residents of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to opportunities and each other,” said Stuart McLean, RDN transit select committee chair. “Our transit system is a key part of making that connection happen and we encourage all transit riders and residents to have their say in how to make it better.”
The RDN said the first round of engagement will focus on gathering ideas and feedback from transit passengers, staff, the broader community, area municipalities, First Nations and stakeholders on how to make transit service better. Participants can post their ideas and examples from other communities and transit systems they would like the RDN to consider.
They can also drop pins and comments on an interactive map to identify improvements they would like to see, such as bus stops, shelters and sidewalk and cycling connections to improve the overall experience of taking transit and to support other forms of transportation.
The draft recommendations for service and infrastructure improvements are expected to be presented for public review and comment in round two of the public engagement process in the early fall, according to the RDN.
To complete the survey in person, residents can visit the RDN transit office located at 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Visitors must wear a mask while being assisted by staff and complete the survey outside of the building due to current COVID protocols.
