Program includes complimentary fares through September 5, discounted passes and enhanced peak season service
Following the successful ratification of a new labour agreement between Unifor Local 114 union operating under Whistler Transit Ltd. and Diversified Transportation, transit service has resumed in Whistler as of June 22, 2022.
Whistler was without transit service from January 29 to June 22, 2022. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) recognizes the disruption this has caused local residents, businesses and visitors. To welcome riders back to transit, the RMOW endorsed the Return to Transit Loyalty Program presented to Council at the June 21 meeting. The Program includes an initial period of free transit across the entire Whistler Transit system, followed by promotional rates on transit passes.
In addition to the Return to Transit Loyalty Program, Council passed a resolution directing staff to formally request BC Transit and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure allocate a portion of their share of the Whistler Transit System operational cost savings directly related to the Unifor Local 114 transit job action toward:
- Implementing the Return to Transit Loyalty Program;
- Compensate the RMOW for missed fare box revenue during the transit strike; and
- Provide a lease holiday to the RMOW equivalent to the duration of the transit strike.
Free transit on the Whistler Transit System begins June 22 and will run through Labour Day, September 5, 2022. Staff will monitor passenger loads on the buses and may add more buses as needed.
The Transit Loyalty Program also focuses on supporting one, six and 12-month pass holders by providing discounts on these passes. The promotional pass rates will be available from June 22 to October 31, 2022, with an increased level of discount dependent on the length of term for passes.
- One-month passes are 30% off (first 9 days free)
(Applies to September, October and November passes purchased by October 31)- Adult pass: $35 instead of $50
- Senior/Student pass: $28 instead of $40
- Six-month passes are 40% off (first 11 weeks free)
- Adult: $162 instead of $270
- Spirit: $132 instead of $220
- Senior/Student: $129 instead of $215
- 12-month passes are 50% off (first 6 months free)
- Adult: $255 instead of $510
- Spirit: $205 instead of $410
- Senior/Student: $205 instead of $410
The RMOW continues to issue refunds for 6 and 12-month passes at Municipal Hall. All passes will be refunded on a pro-rated basis. Our customer service desk is available Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The deadline for refunding passes is October 31, 2022.
In addition to the Transit Loyalty Program, approximately 550 annual transit service hours will be reallocated from the Lost Lake shuttle service to other transit routes during peak season as part of the Whistler Transit System optimization. Full details will be released later this summer once they are confirmed.
The Lost Lake shuttle service will be included with the contract to provide the Rainbow Park shuttle service in summer 2022. Both Park Shuttle services will start on Wednesday, June 29 and operate through Labour Day, September 5. The Lost Lake Shuttle will operate daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Rainbow Park Shuttle will operate Saturdays, Sundays and Statutory Holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please see whistler.ca/ParkShuttle.
“Complimentary transit service days, the Loyalty Program, and the reallocation of transit hours to enhance peak season service are ways that the RMOW are welcoming riders back to transit.” said Mayor Jack Crompton. “Transit service is critical to connecting our community and contributing to our Climate Action Big Moves Strategy by reducing single-occupancy vehicles. I am happy to see busses back on the road and hope the Transit Loyalty Program makes for an easy transition back to transit.”
Thanks to the ongoing provincial Kids Ride Free program, children 12 and under continue to ride BC Transit and TransLink services free of charge. This makes it easier and more affordable for families in and around Whistler and Metro Vancouver to get onboard. Whistler students will continue to receive free transit through the existing High school Transit Pass program as part of the Whistler Transportation Action Plan which is funded through revenue from the Day Lots.
Route 4 and 5 Village Shuttle routes will also continue to be complimentary indefinitely, sponsored by the Province of B.C.’s Resort Municipality Initiative.
Local transit is delivered through a partnership between Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), BC Transit and Whistler Transit Ltd. For more information on transit, schedules and fees visit whistler.ca/transit.
