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April brings flurry of rate increases, changes to bus service

B.C. Hydro rates and ferry fares are rising today. Hydro rates are up by 3.5 per cent after jumping four per cent last April. Some ferry users will also be paying more, with a 1.

B.C. Hydro rates and ferry fares are rising today.

Hydro rates are up by 3.5 per cent after jumping four per cent last April.

Some ferry users will also be paying more, with a 1.9 per cent vehicle-fare increase on the Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen, Duke Point-Tsawwassen and Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay routes. The one-way fee for a standard vehicle increases from $56.45 to $57.50. There will be no increase in passenger fares on those routes, and no increase at all on minor, northern and the Horseshoe Bay-Langdale routes.

Rates for commercial vehicles 13 feet or more in width will go from $6.50 to $13.24 per foot. Vehicles of that size take up two lanes on the ferry.

The start of April also means a revamped spring schedule for B.C. Transit, officially beginning on Monday.

There will be added weekend trips to Butchart Gardens, but fewer buses going to Camosun College and the University of Victoria — where semesters are coming to an end.

Butchart Gardens will be served by more Saturday and Sunday buses on the 75 Saanichton/Royal Oak/Downtown route, while the reduction in post-secondary business will affect such routes as No. 4, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 21 and 39. However, extra trips will be added until April 21 to cover exam periods.

Feedback from transit staff, customers and major employers has also led to more service on the 11 UVic/Tillicum Mall route on Gorge Road.

For passengers going between Millstream Road and Bear Mountain, there will be additional runs Saturday evenings on the 52 Colwood Exchange/Bear Mountain route.

Summer route adjustments will be announced in June.

For more information, go to bctransit.com/victoria.

jwbell@timescolonist.com