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Regional District of Nanaimo to provide free transit on election day

Goal is to make it easier for voters to get to the polls
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(PQB News file photo)

The Regional District of Nanaimo will offer free transit during the municipal elections on Oct. 15.

Senior manager of transportation services, Darren Marshall, indicated to the transit select committee that offering free public bus services, including handyDart, will make it easier for voters to get to the polls and cast their ballots. It also aims to encourage more voter turnout and also reduce the number of vehicles on the road, eventually reducing greenhouse gases and congestion in the region.

Many voting locations in the RDN are on or near conventional bus routes or are destinations for custom transit, door-to-door service clients, making election day an opportunity for riders to try transit for free.

However, interregional transit service and the 70 NCX are excluded from free fares.

READ MORE: Regional District of Nanaimo warns public of handyDart phone scam

The RDN has provided free transit during elections in the past. In the Sept 20, 2021 federal election day, the amount of revenue lost was approximately $5,675 for conventional transit while for handyDart services, the expected loss will be $80.

“Considering the election is being held on a Saturday, RDN conventional transit operates at about 75 per cent of weekday service,” Marshall explained. “Custom has two bus operating versus an average of about 11 buses per weekday.”

Other communities on Vancouver Island that will offer free bus transit during the elections on Oct. 15 include the Victoria Regional District, Cowichan Valley and the Comox Valley.

The transit select committee voted in favour of providing free transit during elections. The motion will be forwarded to the RDN board for approval.

— NEWS Staff

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