Regional commuter bus service proves popular in British Columbia

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Tranzwatching in Cowichan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Bus ridership between Duncan and the capital of British Columbia,Victoria (60km apart) has more than doubled on the Cowichan Valley Commuter service since it began nearly three years ago, according to transit officials reported in Victoria's newspaper, The Time-Colonist. 

Between October 2008, when the service began, and March 2011, the average number of monthly riders has gone from 2,727 to 5,890, an increase of 116 per cent. The commuter service offers four buses each way from Duncan and two from another area in the region.

The Cowichan Valley region is home to over 76,000 people, with Duncan the district centre having a population of around 5000 residents. Victoria is a similar size to Christchurch NZ

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