Travellers heading to or from Victoria International Airport will soon have more options for catching a bus outside regular daytime hours. B.C. Transit is adding a new service connecting downtown Victoria, the airport and Swartz Bay beginning Sept. 8. The new Route 72A is designed to fill some of the gaps at the beginning and end of the day, when airport-bound transit options are more limited. The route will follow the existing Route 72 between downtown Victoria and Swartz Bay, with buses making a stop at YYJ along the way. For travellers leaving downtown, the first weekday trip will depart from the legislature at 5:14 a.m. A second early-morning service will run on Saturdays at 5:25 a.m. and 6:21 a.m., while Sunday’s first trip will leave at 6:22 a.m. The new late-night trips will run from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal through the airport toward downtown at 10 p.m., 11 p.m. and midnight on weekdays and Saturdays. On Sundays, the 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. trips will be available. The existing Routes 87 and 88 will continue serving the airport during the rest of the day, including connections at McTavish Exchange. Regular transit fares will apply to Route 72A. The expansion comes as improving the transit link between downtown Victoria and the airport remains a priority for the Victoria Regional Transit Commission. Longer-term improvements are being considered as part of the draft Victoria Regional Transit Plan, although further expansion will depend on funding and approval. Passengers bringing luggage are asked to keep bags and other belongings on their laps or on the floor without blocking the aisle. On double-decker buses, luggage must remain on the lower level. And this isn’t the only change coming. B.C. Transit says it will announce additional fall service changes for the Victoria region Tuesday.
