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Committee of the Whole/Documents/RapidBus Westshore Line Infrastructure Update Presentation
Presentation

RapidBus Westshore Line Infrastructure Update Presentation

April 11, 2023Pages 121–13919 sections

BC Transit presentation regarding the implementation of the Westshore RapidBus line (Route 95) and associated infrastructure improvements.

2 APPROVAL OF AGENDA
April 2023Route 95 launched April 10th7-8 minute frequency at peak periodsPlanned 510m westbound and 375m eastbound dedicated bus lanesPlanned construction 2024, in-service 2025

RapidBus Westshore Line Infrastructure Update

April 2023

Family with children waiting at a bus stop
Family with children waiting at a bus stop
Woman with a backpack stepping off a BC Transit bus
Woman with a backpack stepping off a BC Transit bus
Senior couple laughing and talking near a bus
Senior couple laughing and talking near a bus
Young person with an afro checking a mobile phone at a bus stop under a transit sign
Young person with an afro checking a mobile phone at a bus stop under a transit sign
Page 121–139

Presentation Overview

Objectives:

  • Provide an update on Implementation and Planning Activities to advance the RapidBus Implementation Strategy

Overview:

  • Regional Context
  • RapidBus
  • Transit Service Planning
  • Transit Infrastructure Planning
    • RapidBus
    • Transit Priority
  • Next Steps
Victoria Regional RapidBus Implementation Strategy document cover showing a bus and strategic planning icons
Victoria Regional RapidBus Implementation Strategy document cover showing a bus and strategic planning icons
Page 121–139

Regional Context

Map of 2028 Population & Employment Projections for the West Shore, Peninsula, and Core regions
Map of 2028 Population & Employment Projections for the West Shore, Peninsula, and Core regions

2028 Projections Summary:

  • West Shore: 103,918 Population (up 22%), 27,837 Employment (up 22%)
  • Peninsula: 46,394 Population (up 7%), 25,369 Employment (up 9%)
  • Core: 288,301 Population (up 7%), 183,617 Employment (up 9%)
View of a double-decker bus in a queue of heavy traffic on a highway
View of a double-decker bus in a queue of heavy traffic on a highway
Page 121–139

Transit Future Plan

BC Transit developed a 25-year transit plan for the region.

The Plan uses four layers of transit service:

  • Rapid Transit
  • Frequent Transit
  • Local Transit
  • Targeted Services

Identified strategic changes to the transit network and supporting infrastructure.

Maps comparing the Existing Transit Network (6.5% mode share) with the Transit Future Plan (15% mode share target)
Maps comparing the Existing Transit Network (6.5% mode share) with the Transit Future Plan (15% mode share target)
Page 121–139

What is RapidBus?

CONNECTED, FREQUENT, FAST AND RELIABLE

  • RapidBus is a bus delivered rapid transit service designed to connect and support designated urban centres of high density, mixed-use areas of the region.
  • Features include branded services, corridor treatments, unique stations, limited stops and high frequencies.
A green RapidBus R2 Marine Dr articulated bus at a modern station platform
A green RapidBus R2 Marine Dr articulated bus at a modern station platform
Passengers waiting at a modern glass-roofed RapidBus station at 6302 NO. 3 Rd
Passengers waiting at a modern glass-roofed RapidBus station at 6302 NO. 3 Rd
Page 121–139

RapidBus Implementation Strategy

The RapidBus Implementation Strategy identifies three top priority RapidBus lines separated into two phases:

  • West Shore RapidBus Line (Phase 1)
  • McKenzie RapidBus Line (Phase 2)
  • Peninsula RapidBus Line (Phase 2)

Phase 3 identifies other RapidBus candidates including Hillside, Quadra and Esquimalt.

Map of the RapidBus network plan showing Phase 1, 2, and 3 lines across Greater Victoria
Map of the RapidBus network plan showing Phase 1, 2, and 3 lines across Greater Victoria
Page 121–139

West Shore RapidBus Line Launch

The flagship Blink West Shore RapidBus Line was launched on April 10th.

  • Introduced the new Route 95 Langford/ Downtown
  • Route 95 replaced Route 50, operating along the same route, but with added service and fewer bus stops
    • 7-8 minute frequency at peak periods on weekdays
    • Minimum of 15 minute service from 7am-10pm Monday to Saturday and 8am-10pm Sunday
    • New Blink RapidBus branding at RapidBus stations
Timeline chart of the West Shore RapidBus project development from 2015 to 2023 and beyond
Timeline chart of the West Shore RapidBus project development from 2015 to 2023 and beyond

Timeline Milestones:

  • Douglas Street Bus Lanes Installed: COMPLETED 2015
  • Douglas Street Bus Lanes Extended: COMPLETED 2018
  • Douglas Street Bus Lane Extended to McKenzie Interchange: COMPLETED 2020
  • First Blink RapidBus Line Launched: COMPLETED 2023
  • Transit Priority and Rapidbus Station Infrastructure
  • Victoria/Swartz Bay and Uptown/UVic RapidBus Lines
Page 121–139

95 Langford / 95 Downtown Route Map

Detailed geographic map showing the route of the 95 Langford/95 Downtown line with all designated stops from Westshore Town Centre to the Legislature Exchange
Detailed geographic map showing the route of the 95 Langford/95 Downtown line with all designated stops from Westshore Town Centre to the Legislature Exchange
Page 121–139

PROPOSED STATION SIGNAGE

Architectural rendering of a proposed RapidBus station shelter with labels for signage
Architectural rendering of a proposed RapidBus station shelter with labels for signage
Example of a "Blink" branded shelter poster
Example of a "Blink" branded shelter poster
Page 121–139

RapidBus Station Branding

STATION SIGNAGE

Detailed view of a bus stop "Flag Sign" for station 100076 showing Route 95 Blink Langford and other local routes
Detailed view of a bus stop "Flag Sign" for station 100076 showing Route 95 Blink Langford and other local routes
Circular "Round Sign" for Blink RapidBus Station featuring a QR code and "Learn more!" text
Circular "Round Sign" for Blink RapidBus Station featuring a QR code and "Learn more!" text
Scale rendering of the bus stop pole signage next to a human silhouette
Scale rendering of the bus stop pole signage next to a human silhouette
Page 121–139

Infrastructure Development Process

Process Stage Key Activities Estimated Timeline
Transit Future Vision RapidBus Strategy • Future Transit Network Vision
• Prioritization		 -
Study – Conceptual Options • Study budgeting & agreement
• Develop and evaluate conceptual options		 12 months
Approval of Conceptual Options • Local Government Approval in principle of street design concepts
• Transit Commission Approval in principle of concept and local share of funding		 6 - 18 months
Business Case Development and Approval • BC Transit/Province Funding
• Federal Funding		 6 - 9 months
Project Delivery • Detail Design
• Construction Tendering
• Construction		 18 - 24 months
  • Major infrastructure improvements typically take 3-7 years to plan and implement.
  • Coordinated project planning with local governments and the Province to advance design concepts, cost estimates, cost sharing.
  • Capital Programming, preparation of business cases and applications for funding.
  • Project approvals by Local Government, Victoria Regional Transit Commission and BC Transit Board.
Page 121–139

RapidBus Infrastructure Projects – Island Highway

Island Highway Priority Project

  • Supports the Westshore Rapid Bus Strategy.
  • Transit priority improvements for Island Highway between Highway 1 in the Town of View Royal and Wale Road in the City of Colwood.
  • ICIP application for $14.9M budget and the local share is funded by the VRTC.
  • If the application is successful next step would be project construction tendering.
  • Construction 2024 and in-service in 2025.
Infrastructure plan map for the Island Highway corridor highlighting areas for signal priority, bus queue jumps, and curb bus lanes
Infrastructure plan map for the Island Highway corridor highlighting areas for signal priority, bus queue jumps, and curb bus lanes
Detailed engineering site plan for transit improvements on the Island Highway near 6 Mile Rd and Atkins Rd
Detailed engineering site plan for transit improvements on the Island Highway near 6 Mile Rd and Atkins Rd
Page 121–139

Island Hwy Transit Priority : View Royal

  • Westbound: partial dedicated bus lanes (510m) from Colwood Interchange to 6 Mile intersection and queue jump at 6 Mile intersection.
  • Eastbound: partial dedicated bus lane (375m) from Dukrill to Colwood Interchange and queue jump to on-ramp.
  • Transit Signal Priority at 6 Mile Intersection and Colwood Interchange.
  • New 1.8m bike lanes in both directions.
  • Signalized intersection at Atkins Road to support safe connections to RapidBus Stops and Business Access.
Aerial map of the View Royal section with color-coded overlays showing the proposed northbound and southbound bus lanes
Aerial map of the View Royal section with color-coded overlays showing the proposed northbound and southbound bus lanes
Page 121–139

Island Hwy Transit Priority Project: Colwood

Goldstream Intersection

Aerial view of the Goldstream intersection highlighting the proposed N1 - Northbond queue jump lane
Aerial view of the Goldstream intersection highlighting the proposed N1 - Northbond queue jump lane

Wale/Ocean Blvd Intersection

Aerial view of the Wale/Ocean Blvd intersection highlighting the proposed S5 - Southbond bus lane and N2 - Northbond bus lane
Aerial view of the Wale/Ocean Blvd intersection highlighting the proposed S5 - Southbond bus lane and N2 - Northbond bus lane
Page 121–139

Westshore RapidBus Station Study

  • Developed preliminary designs and cost estimates for 22 RapidBus Stations along the Westshore Line.
    • Concepts includes shelters, sidewalk improvements, bus bays, ancillary improvements
  • Substantially completed technical study in February 2023 for Langford, Colwood, View Royal, North Douglas.
    • Developed conceptual drawings for each location
    • Provided cost estimates for delivery
  • Several desired locations are under long term contract with 3rd party advertisers.
  • There are 6 Station Plans being developed for View Royal – Helmcken, Atkins & Wilfret.
Engineering design comparison between existing conditions and the proposed concept for the West Shore Line RapidBus station at Grainger (to Langford)
Engineering design comparison between existing conditions and the proposed concept for the West Shore Line RapidBus station at Grainger (to Langford)
Page 121–139

RapidBus Planning City of Victoria

Attended Council in September 2022 to discuss moving forward.

  • Council endorsed the concept of 24/7 bus lanes in Downtown on Douglas Street
  • In the process of establishing a Downtown Douglas Street Vision

Developing a multi-modal corridor vision to allow for preliminary designs and cost estimates for RapidBus Stations and Bus Priority in Downtown Victoria.

Report to Victoria Council in late spring on a preferred option and recommended actions. Study schedule to be complete in July.

Artistic concept rendering of the "Downtown Douglas Street Visioning" showing a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly night scene
Artistic concept rendering of the "Downtown Douglas Street Visioning" showing a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly night scene
Collage of photos showing current transit activity on Douglas Street in downtown Victoria
Collage of photos showing current transit activity on Douglas Street in downtown Victoria
Page 121–139

Infrastructure Development – Next Steps

Process diagram identifying current progress for RapidBus stations and the Island Hwy Transit Priority project
Process diagram identifying current progress for RapidBus stations and the Island Hwy Transit Priority project
  • Island Hwy Transit Priority Project
    • Funding Application
    • Construction
  • Rapid Bus Stations
    • Secure local government support
    • Secure VRTC support for funding
    • Business Case and Grant Application
Page 121–139

Successes

Page 121–139

Thank you

Contact:

Lindsay Byers – Senior Manager, Government Relations (Victoria) lbyers@bctransit.com

James Wadsworth – Manager, Project Development jwadsorth@bctransit.com

Levi Megenbir – Senior Transit Planner Work Lead lmegenbir@bctransit.com

Person loading a bicycle onto the front bike rack of a BC Transit bus
Person loading a bicycle onto the front bike rack of a BC Transit bus
Page 121–139

Document Images

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Example of a "Blink" branded shelter poster

Example of a "Blink" branded shelter poster

Detailed view of a bus stop "Flag Sign" for station 100076 showing Route 95 Blink Langford and other local routes

Detailed view of a bus stop "Flag Sign" for station 100076 showing Route 95 Blink Langford and other local routes

Scale rendering of the bus stop pole signage next to a human silhouette

Scale rendering of the bus stop pole signage next to a human silhouette

Photo of a double-decker bus stopped at a transit station with yellow tactile warning strips

Photo of a double-decker bus stopped at a transit station with yellow tactile warning strips

People waiting at a bus stop along a busy multi-lane road

People waiting at a bus stop along a busy multi-lane road

Infrastructure plan map for the Island Highway corridor highlighting areas for signal priority, bus queue jumps, and curb bus lanes

Infrastructure plan map for the Island Highway corridor highlighting areas for signal priority, bus queue jumps, and curb bus lanes

Detailed engineering site plan for transit improvements on the Island Highway near 6 Mile Rd and Atkins Rd

Detailed engineering site plan for transit improvements on the Island Highway near 6 Mile Rd and Atkins Rd

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Extracted from: 2023 04 11 Committee of the Whole Agenda - Agenda - Pdf