Changes are coming to bus routes at Castlegar’s south end to address safety issues.
Tom Dool, a research analyst with the Regional District of Central Kootenay, told city council this week the adjustments come out of a 2024 audit and affect two routes.
The No. 98 Columbia Connector, which runs between Castlegar and Trail, has traditionally turned off at Blueberry to pick up or drop off passengers, then made a three-point turn across traffic in the intersection before returning to the highway. Dool said BC Transit has indicated that has to change.
At the same time, in order to make a right-hand turn onto Columbia Avenue from 32nd Street, the No. 34 bus stops across railway tracks, which Dool said is “clearly a no-no from a safety perspective.”
Some interim measures have since been adopted. The No. 98 now goes directly into Blueberry and loops around. However, due to the large size of the bus and the frequency of the trip — 11 times per day, six days per week — the extra cost is $25,000 per year. The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary is picking up the tab for now, but Dool said if the arrangement was to continue, the RDCK would also have to pay a portion.
The problem with the No. 34 is being addressed for now simply by drivers being aware of what time trains come through. While reversing the routing would eliminate the issue, Dool said it would mean having to move several shelters and signs, at a considerable cost.
Dool said the No. 98 normally only picks up three or four riders per day at Blueberry. So their solution is to stop serving Blueberry with the No. 98 and instead extend the No. 34 into the community three times per day, at morning, lunch, and evening. Rather than turning back onto the highway at 32nd Street, the bus will continue down 5th Avenue before heading to Blueberry.
Dool said this addresses both safety issues at once. Because the No. 34 route uses a smaller bus, the extra cost to the city will be about $9,500, to be drawn from a contingency within the existing budget.
As a bonus, he said, more stops will be added on 5th Avenue where there is presently no service. In a follow-up email, Dool said the changes will come potentially by June depending on BC Transit approvals, but no later than September.
Dool also said despite a reduction in international students, bus ridership within Castlegar is healthy and growing. The No. 98, however, which used to be packed with students in the morning and evening, has seen a drop in riders.
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