Camosun launches shuttle service for West Shore and inter-campus commuters

Media Release
Release Date: January 7, 2014

Camosun launches the Camosun Express shuttle service this week, a new travel option for West Shore and inter-campus commuters. The shuttle—a pilot project funded by dedicated sustainability dollars—is a welcome addition to current travel options, offering students and staff a comfortable ride with on-board benefits: direct routing, WiFi access and space for bikes.

Additional benefits include reduced single occupancy vehicle travel to and between campuses, reduced parking congestion and a viable shared ride option from the West Shore.

"The reality is, we must explore new ways of doing things if we are to remain sustainable and meet our ambitious environmental commitments" says Kathryn LeGros, director of Ancillary Services. "The shuttle project will help us test ways to ease parking congestion, reduce the cost of work-based inter-campus travel, and provide commuters with options to reduce our carbon footprint."

As indicated in a 2011 transportation survey, 56% of staff, 34% of faculty and 15% of students need to travel between campuses on a regular basis—and inter-campus travel reimbursements cost Camosun over $53,000 each year. In addition, 17% of staff, 14% of students and 13% of faculty live in the western communities with unmet transit needs. "The Camosun Express offers an affordable, sustainable travel option for a sizable group of people," says LeGros.

The Camosun Express pilot project will run from January 6 through March 31, 2014. LeGros says she will assess the project throughout the trial period, and report her findings to the college community later this spring.

Contact

Kathryn LeGros
Director, Ancillary Services
250-370-3871

Backgrounder

• A 2011 Getting Here college-wide survey revealed that 56% of staff, 34% of faculty and 15% of students need to travel between campuses on a regular basis. In addition, 17% of staff, 14% of students and 13% of faculty live in the western communities of Langford, Colwood and View Royal, with unmet transit needs
• Data from the Getting Here survey indicated that of those who travel between campuses, 65% do so as single vehicle occupants
• Inter-campus travel reimbursements for employees costs Camosun over $53,000 each year
• A December, 2013 survey informed the Camosun Express schedule, which begins and ends in the West Shore and includes one mid-day inter-campus route
• Under the Sustainable Results pillar of the Inspiring Lives strategic plan, pilot Camosun Express service will test the potential to achieve cost-savings and a host of environmental targets: carbon emissions reductions; reduced demand for paved, impervious surfaces; fewer single occupancy vehicles on the roads and reduced parking congestion
• The Camosun Express launched as a pilot project January 6 and will run through March 31, 2014, when it's success will be evaluated

Route and schedule details and benefits

• Mini coach vehicle with space for 20 passengers; riders can take their bike on the coach and increase their green travel options (limit of four bikes per trip)
• Three daily routes:
  • Morning commuter: Travel from the West Shore to Interurban | Lansdowne | Interurban
  • Mid-day inter-campus: Lansdowne | Interurban | Lansdowne
  • Afternoon commuter: Interurban | Lansdowne | Interurban then back to West Shore
• Free fare for Camosun students and staff
• Direct route that is fast, comfy and convenient
• Free WiFi to complement work flow and leisure web browsing
• Professional driver to take the angst out of the daily commute