Dear editor,

I would like to clarify some recent comments about the 2018 transit improvements that were approved by the Comox Valley Regional District board in July.

These planned improvements are the result of extensive work completed by professional transit planners following significant local public consultation.

The improvements are supported by the Comox Valley Transit Future plan and include higher bus frequency, as well as enhancements to routes and schedules to create a more convenient transit network. Investing in increased frequency and convenience of transit service has been shown to result in increased ridership, which is our end goal.

The total annual cost for these improvements are estimated at $455,289. After taking into account provincial funding and bus fare revenue, the net cost to the CVRD is $234,197 per year, which would be funded by property taxes. A recent letter to the Comox Valley Record (Aug. 24 ) indicated costs for these improvements could be as high as $750,000, which is highly inaccurate.

In fact, costs to taxpayers will be less than one third of that figure.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide clarification about the improvements planned for the Comox Valley Transit systems. Full details will be communicated as part of a public engagement phase commencing late 2017.

Mike Zbarsky

Manager of Transit and Sustainability