What the Cortes/Quadra Passenger Transportation Survey Discovered

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - 283 people from Cortes, Quadra and the Outer Island’s as well as some visitors participated in CCEDA’s passenger transportation survey.  They were asked about a variety of options for passengers on the islands; a bus, taxi, carpool, van pool, or rideshare.

"We found that the most popular option for all respondents was a bus on Quadra that included both ferries. Cortes and Outer-Island residents only need a bus that goes from the Cortes ferry to the Quadra ferry.  They don't necessarily need to go anywhere else on Quadra. It's just  that straight line that so many people take across Quadra. On Quadra, the most popular option was a bus that included both ferries, but also made a loop. It would be helpful for people living on Quadra and for visitors to get around Quadra," explained Jennifer Banks-Doll, Project Lead for Quadra Island.

"Those were the most popular. Of course those are also the most expensive  options to try to implement, which is why we wanted to look at what else people would be interested in?"

"People are also really interested in having some kind of a taxi or ride-hail, because of course a bus  doesn't necessarily come to your door unless you're really lucky and live on the route. It doesn't come exactly when you need it. It doesn't necessarily have a direct route. It doesn't necessarily take you home from the bar at night."

"People are still really interested in some kind of door to door option that  they would  be paying more for, but it might be needed under certain circumstances."

"Ride sharing  was really popular and in terms of economics, it is really  the most economically feasible as well as the easiest to organize because it's already being organized on Quadra and Cortes, through  Better At Home. Only a very small number of people can access it that way, but it's a worldwide program funded here to help people stay in their homes. We found that many more people besides the clients of Better at Home are interested in ride sharing."

"The strongest thing motivating people to use passenger transportation was reducing their carbon footprint. A lot of people who responded have their own vehicles. They wanted to not always have to use them and be able to use options that are more environmentally sensitive."