FWIW my numbers were: 5.6M boardings in 2024 (GRT data) 46,573 service hours comprised of -140.5 service hours per weekday x 252 weekday schedules -103.7 per Saturday x 52 Saturdays -94.1 per Sunday/holiday x 61 Sunday/holiday schedules -34.8 service hours on Christmas Day
How much of this is student or TFWP?
I’m not sure. There’s a corresponding dip in the summer ridership for GRT, but I think it’s less pronounced for ION. And there was a recent drop with the foreign enrollment reductions, but perhaps ION post-pandemic growth — and growth along the line — will make up for it soon
Speaking of building more ION…
One thing about spending too much time obsessing over the dumpster fire that is Vancouver Island rail advocacy is that it makes *good* advocacy so much more obvious. I really like how that page lays out a very simple, clear case for what they want and how to do it. Great work on their part
And it feels positive and inclusive. Often transit advocacy is way too boomer male oriented. But with a bit of tweaking you could see more women feeling like this is something they could get involved with. They should get a young women to do a TikTok account as well to extend their reach
And just because it’s on my mind, here is an example from Restore Island Rail on what *not* to do. I mean just look at this. Absolutely cursed vibes all around and it does nothing to get people excited and activated to participate and advocate. 0/10. Yikesville. Do not recommend
