Gabriola Transportation Association

There's never been a better time to launch a Gabriola bus!

Over the past decades we've filled out surveys and signed petitions in support of a bus, only to find that either the regulations didn't permit it or the financial backing wasn't there.

Now:

• With daily reminders that climate change is upon us, with gas near $1.50 per litre, and the ferry fare increasing dramatically - we are more motivated than ever to leave the car at home (or sell it!)
• There are new supportive government regulations (see BC's Ministry of Transport, Passenger Transportation Branch)
• There is financial backing from both federal and provincial governments

$100 Climate Change Dividend:

• The BC government has launched the Climate Action Dividend:sending a cheque for $100 by the end of June to every person in the province (filing a 2006 or 2007 tax return and including each child registered for the Canada Child Tax Benefit), with the intention that it be used "to reduce our carbon footprint".

Making it happen:

• Feasibility study - including research into likely ridership, fare structure, bus routes, scheduling, economic feasibility (exploring additional funding from BC transit or the RDN), diesel bus best matching our needs
• One year trial run of bus (getting it right!)

Using Waste Vegetable Oil

• The restaurants on Gabriola are willing to provide the waste vegetable oil free (this oil had to be transported off island to Nanimo previously)
• Calculations indicate that there will be more than enough waste oil on the island to fuel the bus.
• The University of Vancouver Island has indicated their support in providing us with a processor for the veggie oil.
  

Feasibility Study and Trial Run

What will your $100 be paying for - in more detail.

Feasibility Study:

The objective of the study is to determine whether or not it is feasible to operate a bus on Gabriola and if so, what that looks like.

The following kinds of questions will be answered through a feasibility study:

• What will the routes be?
• What will the fare be?
• What will the schedule be?
• What can government agencies contribute to a bus on Gabriola?
• How many people are likely to ride on a bus, when and how often?
• What are the logistics and costs of fueling the bus with waste vegetable oil from Gabriola's restaurants.
• Who would manage the bus operation?
• How will the taxi business be factored into a bus on Gabriola?
• What kind of bus do we need?
• What grants can we get for Trial Run?
• What are the costs - labour, workers compensation, insurance, maintenance, etc.

These questions will be answered through a combination of:

• Survey of Gabriolans
• Negotiations with government officials
• Discussions with stakeholders (incl.taxi)
• Discussions with diesel mechanics and experts in biodiesel
• Analysis of greenhouse gas reduction
• Grant writing
• Research

Trial Run

The objective of the trial run is to put a bus on the road based on the results of the feasibility study in terms of:

• Ridership
• Fares
• Routes
• Use of bio-diesel
• Bus type required
• Management of operation
• Resulting greenhouse gas reduction
• Labour costs, insurance, maintenance, etc.

During the trial run there will be constant monitoring of the results in terms of each of the preceding points and other areas that will arise during the feasibility study.