Quatchi
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Engineering Officer - CCG
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Post by Quatchi on Feb 18, 2008 12:28:49 GMT -8
Hi
A buddy and myself are going to Victoria this weekend. We are not taking a vehicle over and are going to take transit. Our goal location to be is Saanich Center @ McKenzie and Quadra.\
My theory is we take the #70 from Swartz Bay to Royal Oak Exchange and get on the #6 and get off at Saanich Center.
Is this right, Karl do you know?
Thanks,
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Post by Nickfro on Feb 18, 2008 12:40:37 GMT -8
Yep. That's the best way to do it. Another option is to get off the #70 at Mckenzie and Hwy 17 and catch the #26 along Mckenzie, but the #6 runs very frequently along Quadra from Royal Oak, so stick with your plan. You probably already know this, but any Victoria transit information can be found here.
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Post by Dane on Feb 18, 2008 18:10:21 GMT -8
And cdon't catch a 70B or whatever it's called, it doubles back on its route twice at the Airport... frustrating!
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Post by Retrovision on Feb 19, 2008 1:12:57 GMT -8
The #6 is the best, most frequent and smoothest connection for ferry passengers to your destination, simply transfer at the now more user-friendly (including bus bays) Royal Oak Exchange... Find the #6 schedule here... Southbound Saturday (simply click the direction or day to change) tinyurl.com/27u28a
And find the same #70 schedule here tinyurl.com/ypwmlmAnd cdon't catch a 70B or whatever it's called, it doubles back on its route twice at the Airport... frustrating! Fortunately these are dynamic times for Victoria's transit system and that part of the route no longer exists, the airport service has now been religated to "Community Bus" routes and the #75 from Downtown Victoria via Brentwood Bay.
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 19, 2008 10:03:02 GMT -8
Sorry I am not much help. I dont take transit so I wouldent know much about it, lol! I do know the #70 is the one from the ferry, lol!
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Quatchi
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Engineering Officer - CCG
Posts: 930
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Post by Quatchi on Feb 19, 2008 13:05:50 GMT -8
Sweet Thanks allot guys. I have been to Victoria many times to visit my grandmother whom doesn't drive, but my mom usually took my and dropped me off at her place. Then we would take transit to get downtown, but I have never been north of Saanich center on transit.
I never though of looking on the internet for routes either. (DUH)
Thanks again,
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Post by Nickfro on Feb 19, 2008 16:16:52 GMT -8
I just noticed one other thing. Take a look at this brochure. On page 3 there is a map of Royal Oak Exchange. Notice that you will be getting off the #70 at Bay 2 (to Victoria), which is eastbound on Royal Oak Dr. Looking at the #6 map that Graham posted above, you see that there are 3 different routes for #6 up in the Royal Oak area. 2 of them you board at Bay 5 (eastbound on Royal Oak Dr) and the other one at Bay 1 (southbound on Elk Lake Dr). Just take a look for the #6 bus when you get off the #70. There's almost always one sitting there on its turn-around break. Any one of them will get you to your destination. One last thing: in case you're not familiar with the area, Royal Oak Exchange is not far past Beaver Lake Park. BLP is on Elk Lake Dr and there's a big sign for that park at its entrance (adjacent to Hwy 17), so when the bus turns off Elk Lake Dr that is when you will get off the bus at Royal Oak Exch. I need to get over there pretty soon to make sure that my UVic attending cousins aren't making any poor choices over there (haha!). I was hoping to incorporate that on the Victoria CR open house weekend, but wasn't able to make it happen. I always have fun going over to Victoria. . .don't get over there enough.
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Post by Retrovision on Feb 20, 2008 6:44:03 GMT -8
I just noticed one other thing. Take a look at this brochure. On page 3 there is a map of Royal Oak Exchange. Notice that you will be getting off the #70 at Bay 2 (to Victoria), which is eastbound on Royal Oak Dr. Looking at the #6 map that Graham posted above, you see that there are 3 different routes for #6 up in the Royal Oak area. 2 of them you board at Bay 5 (eastbound on Royal Oak Dr) and the other one at Bay 1 (southbound on Elk Lake Dr). Just take a look for the #6 bus when you get off the #70. There's almost always one sitting there on its turn-around break. Any one of them will get you to your destination. One last thing: in case you're not familiar with the area, Royal Oak Exchange is not far past Beaver Lake Park. BLP is on Elk Lake Dr and there's a big sign for that park at its entrance (adjacent to Hwy 17), so when the bus turns off Elk Lake Dr that is when you will get off the bus at Royal Oak Exch. I need to get over there pretty soon to make sure that my UVic attending cousins aren't making any poor choices over there (haha!). I was hoping to incorporate that on the Victoria CR open house weekend, but wasn't able to make it happen. I always have fun going over to Victoria. . .don't get over there enough. Thanks for clarifying; yes, the different routing and therefore different stops where you have catch the same route can be confusing, especially on weekends when there's less service vs. weekdays. For when and where to transfer, the rule of thumb that I go by when needing to transfer at Royal Oak Exchange is to start getting ready as soon as the bus turns off the Pay Bay Hwy. after you pass Elk Lake on the right. P.S. Just a reminder, until mid-March the Queen of Vancouver is filling in for the SoBC, that's leaving Tsawwassen at 7am, 11am, 3pm and 7pm as well as the opposite departures from Swartz Bay. These are either sought-after sailings for us Spaulding fans (or maybe not if you want to pass her near or in Active Pass; she's rarely been passing there as she's been running slow, etc.), or sailings to be avoided like the plague if you're used to an 'S' Class vessel.
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Quatchi
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Engineering Officer - CCG
Posts: 930
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Post by Quatchi on Feb 20, 2008 9:21:54 GMT -8
Thanks allot guys.
We are going to try and get on the vancouver one way and the SOVI the other. Of course my buddy just wants to see old carpet.
Cheers,
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D'Elete BC in NJ
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Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Feb 20, 2008 11:52:48 GMT -8
Thanks allot guys. Of course my buddy just wants to see old carpet. Cheers, Might I suggest the Penthouse.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 20, 2008 13:35:17 GMT -8
Thanks allot guys. Of course my buddy just wants to see old carpet. Cheers, Might I suggest the Penthouse. joke received.
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Post by Retrovision on Feb 26, 2008 11:59:14 GMT -8
Thanks allot guys. Of course my buddy just wants to see old carpet. Cheers, Might I suggest the Penthouse. For anyone unfamiliar with Vancouver or its history, the Penthouse Nightclub (on Seymour near Nelson) is an institution in the city, founded over 50 years ago in 1947. A Brief History:www.penthousenightclub.com/history.htmSome Interesting News Articles (Starting Here):www.penthousenightclub.com/history2.htmIncluding this telling one... Oddly enough my dad was the floor director for a CBC Television variety show called "What's a show like you doing in a place like this" (I'm paraphrasing, can't remember the title exactly) and has some colourful stories including of having to crawl on that same old carpet to get below the camera shot to the other live set.
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Post by kylefossett on Feb 26, 2008 17:26:02 GMT -8
Might I suggest the Penthouse. For anyone unfamiliar with Vancouver or its history, the Penthouse Nightclub (on Seymour near Nelson) is an institution in the city, founded over 50 years ago in 1947. [ so would that not make it 60 years ago? 1947-2008
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Post by Retrovision on Feb 26, 2008 18:12:32 GMT -8
For anyone unfamiliar with Vancouver or its history, the Penthouse Nightclub (on Seymour near Nelson) is an institution in the city, founded over 50 years ago in 1947. [ so would that not make it 60 years ago? 1947-2008 You caught me in a hasty posting; yes, more than 60 years ago (The 60th anniversary was marked late last year). Between our ferries and Vancouver institutions, from fourty to sixty years, the numbers sometimes easily blend with eachother in our minds. As with my haste in posting, I didn't have much time to relay another story from my dad in my last post... It goes that one time while shooting the aforementioned CBC TV variety show a custom and quite expensive aluminum ladder went missing from the mobile production truck. After some investigation the CBC crew including my dad found the ladder - there was no doubt considering how custom-built it was - in the basement of The Penthouse. Joe Fhilliponne, my dad tells me, was adamant that this was his ladder. Trivial stories aside, the last of the infamous 4 brothers who founded the club and its still-living legacy just passed away earlier this month... www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=9753b148-7eef-4cd1-8245-f16d6ab38a60
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Post by kylefossett on Feb 26, 2008 18:17:35 GMT -8
The Penthouse also doubles as the "Chick-a-Dee" on the Chris Haddock produce crime drama "Intelligence"
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Post by Retrovision on Feb 26, 2008 18:40:45 GMT -8
The Penthouse also doubles as the "Chick-a-Dee" on the Chris Haddock produce crime drama "Intelligence" Thanks for pointing this out. I'm quite a fan of this show and Chris Haddock's other CBC Television series, Davinci's Inquest and Davinci's City Hall ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Haddock); evolution of the production of these shows, values and quality, convinced me to not give up on what most would simply consider CRTC mandated filler. These shows have come a long way so please don't base them simply on early Davinci's Inquest shows and look more towards Intelligence. Back from off topic overtime, please do list here any questions you have about Victoria transit. Even if you think you knew even just a year ago or so, you might not now. As I mentioned before, these are very dynamic times for Victoria's transit system, particularly for routing and bus number changes; don't hesitate to ask.
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Quatchi
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Engineering Officer - CCG
Posts: 930
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Post by Quatchi on Feb 26, 2008 23:09:01 GMT -8
I guess I should report on the trip.
My plan worked. Take bus 70 to Royal Oak Exchange and then transfer to 6 and it drops you off at Saanich Center.
Thanks,
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Post by cohocatcher on Feb 27, 2008 9:14:12 GMT -8
What was the cost for the bus rides and how long did it take? How does this compare to getting on the Greyhound bus on the ferry for the trip to the dowtown terminal?
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Post by Nickfro on Feb 27, 2008 9:33:20 GMT -8
Here's what I remember from my 5 years in Victoria: - The #70, Swartz Bay-Downtown, takes approx. 1 hour from end to end. It doesn't spend much time on the Pat Bay Hwy (#17), thus why it takes so long. It also doesn't leave Swartz Bay until the top of the hour, about 25 mins after the ferry arrives.
- The cost is about $3. Victoria has 2 fare zones, with the zone boundary situated near Elk Lake, which is the lake that you pass by on the Pat Bay Hwy. (There's another zone boundary out towards the western 'burbs too, just fyi)
- I have never taken the Pacific Coach Lines bus, but I figure that if you purchase a ticket on the ferry, it costs about $10-15.
- The perk for PCL is that it is the very first vehicle off the ferry, so it doesn't take long to get downtown, about 30 mins.
To sum up, it depends what your priority is: time or money.
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Post by Retrovision on Feb 27, 2008 9:47:04 GMT -8
What was the cost for the bus rides and how long did it take? How does this compare to getting on the Greyhound bus on the ferry for the trip to the dowtown terminal? Don't take my word for it butCost: $3 (two zones) From ferry to downtown (same as most points south other than the ferry from Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay) Not Greyhound here but PCL, Pacific Coach Lines... Trust me, between $38.50 and $8, Transit is well worth it from downtown to downtown, even despite the schedule restraints.
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Post by cohocatcher on Feb 27, 2008 9:58:39 GMT -8
I meant to buy a PCL ticket from the driver once you are on the ferry. I think that from Horseshoe Bay the price is about $8.50 to the downtown Vancouver Bus station.
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Post by Retrovision on Feb 27, 2008 10:05:48 GMT -8
The #70, Swartz Bay-Downtown, takes approx. 1 hour from end to end. It doesn't spend much time on the Pat Bay Hwy (#17), thus why it takes so long. It also doesn't leave Swartz Bay until the top of the hour, about 25 mins after the ferry arrives. A 90% discount tends to come with a catch, especially these days. The scenic route is right, sit back and relax, these are double deckers the same as what those expensive tour companies offer. Thank you, though, nickfro, for bringing up the comparisons I have never taken the Pacific Coach Lines bus, but I figure that if you purchase a ticket on the ferry, it costs about $10-15. As a driver even aboard the ferry once explained to me fairly recently, they charge based on the seat being occupied or not, i.e. the same fare from any pickup point in greater Victoria to any point in Metro Vancouver. (There's another zone boundary out towards the western 'burbs too, just fyi) A myth! This is part of the zone you entered at the ferry terminal and hence costs no more to travel in! (And don't let your driver tell you otherwise) ...it depends what your priority is: time or money. You bet, though any true fan of the ol' CPR boats knows the value of the long way around, or the senic route in modern terms
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Post by Retrovision on Feb 27, 2008 10:17:50 GMT -8
I meant to buy a PCL ticket from the driver once you are on the ferry. I think that from Horseshoe Bay the price is about $8.50 to the downtown Vancouver Bus station. From PCL's website... ( www.pacificcoach.com) Check out the website for intermediate fares
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Post by Nickfro on Feb 27, 2008 10:38:11 GMT -8
Route: Victoria Depot to Tsawwassen Date: January 2, 2008 - March 31, 2008 Ticket For: Adult One Way: $25.50 Check out the website for intermediate fares That price includes the ferry fare, but I bet it isn't far off to subtract the ferry fare and that's approximately what it will cost from the ferry to your destination. The cost is about $3. Victoria has 2 fare zones, with the zone boundary situated near Elk Lake, which is the lake that you pass by on the Pat Bay Hwy. (There's another zone boundary out towards the western 'burbs too, just fyi) A myth! This is part of the zone you entered at the ferry terminal and hence costs no more to travel in! (And don't let your driver tell you otherwise) I knew that. It's just like in Gr. Van. . .you can leave and enter the same zone on the same fare. I was just pointing out that there is more than just the Saanich Peninsula fare zone boundary. The significant difference between the two systems is that in Gr. Victoria your transfer is good for your next bus ONLY. Last time I was there, they still use those thin paper transfers and when you get on your 2nd bus you chuck it into a white trash bucket located on the front window sill.
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Post by piller on Mar 24, 2008 15:01:30 GMT -8
In September 2008, Victoria Transit will start express service between Swartz Bay and Victoria, running straight down the Pat Bay Highway every 30 min from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. Even better news, all of Victoria Transit will become a single fare zone!
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