The proposed Fraser Valley Express bus between Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack will be discussed at an open house Sept. 9.
BC Transit is now working with the Fraser Valley Regional District, the City of Chilliwack, the City of Abbotsford and First Canada, with input from the University of the Fraser Valley, TransLink and the Ministry of Transportation.
The new service will be called the Fraser Valley Express or FVX. The FVX will connect four independent transit systems: Agassiz-Harrison, Chilliwack, Central Fraser Valley and TransLink. The service is expected to start in late spring 2015.
The open house takes place 3-5 p.m. at the Carvolth Bus Loop (202nd Street just north of the TransCanada Highway).
The long-anticipated bus service was on hold after Abbotsford City council refused to approve it last autumn and gave it the green light in January.
As part of the planning, the public will have input that will help plan routes and scheduling.
The intent of the bus is to have limited stops in each community (a direct express service) but stopping near key destinations in the three communities to encourage public use.
The target markets include commuters between the three communities, students, and those wanting to travel between the three for shopping, recreation or medical care.
A total of eight open houses are being held in the three communities.
People who can’t attend the open house can provide comments at FVXTransit@BCTransit.com. There’s also a survey online at www.bctransit.com/transitfuture. Any comments must be submitted by Sept. 19.
Abbotsford has a link to Langley but it currently involves a lengthy trip through Aldergrove.
BC transit was slated to pick up 47 per cent of the FVX bill, or $755,800, with Abbotsford and Chilliwack funding the remainder of the $1.68 million tab.
Abbotsford would fund the majority of the regional governments’ contribution paying an estimated $588,200, or 64 per cent of the local share.
Chilliwack would pay 36 per cent of the local share, or $333,764