A handful of bus routes are running in Greater Victoria as a deep cold continues.
Buses were cancelled Tuesday and early Wednesday with a few routes returning to service as of 9 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 21).
BC Transit sent out a handful of buses to assess road conditions and during its 9 a.m. update noted a handful of routes are running: the 2 South Oak Bay/James Bay (not servicing Central and St. Patrick, routing via Oak Bay Marina); 4 Downtown/UVic (will finish/leave from Government and Superior streets); 15 Esquimalt/UVic; 50 Downtown/Langford; 61 Downtown/Sooke; and the 70 Downtown/Swartz Bay.
Visit bctransit.com for the ever-evolving schedule.
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority urged residents to refrain from walking the breakwater and Inner Harbour lower causeway until the snow is cleared.
Citing road conditions BC Ferries cancelled morning sailings (to the 10:25 a.m.) between Mill Bay and Brentwood Bay. The corporation later clarified on social media that the Brentwood terminal required plowing, and promised updates.
The Capital Regional District’s curbside recycling collection is also cancelled for a second day on all routes for Dec. 21. Residents are asked to hold their recycling until the next collection date.
Weather also takes the blame for a second day of post-secondary closures in the Capital Region with Camosun College closed for the day and the University of Victoria closed for the morning. UVic cancelled morning in-person exams with online proceeding as scheduled. Another update will happen at 10 a.m. about exams scheduled for later.
READ ALSO: Victoria off-roaders step up to get hospital staff to work in snowstorm
The expected Arctic front brought a cold air mass to the south coast with temperatures dipping 10 C below the seasonal norm with wind chill values approaching -20 C over the Greater Victoria and the southern Gulf Islands regions, according to Environment Canada.
It’s another snow day. More snowfall overnight left the roads very icy. We recommend staying home if you can. If you must go out, give yourself extra time and go slow.
— West Shore RCMP (@WestshoreRCMP) December 21, 2022
The deep cold is expected to continue into Thursday with snow and rain returning Friday.
Environment Canada reminds residents to dress warmly in layers and stay dry while covering as much exposed skin as possible to avoid frostbite.
READ MORE: Storm coverage
christine.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca
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