34 -- Friday, July 24, 1998 — North Shore News north shore news & AUTO 1998 VOLVO $90 Touring Sedan VOLVOS COST LESS SALE on vom ‘Transit rider numbers fall Andrew McCredie Editor andrew@nsnews.com FEWER passengers rode public transit in North Vancouver Jast ~ year compared with the previous one. However, more hopped aboard West Vancouver’s Blue ~ Buses. Numbers released by BC Transit this week -reveal SeaBus gardings dipped _. approximately 1% for the fiscal . year. 1997-98 {ending March . 31); while “bus ‘ridership: in North Vancouver fell approxi-_ ? mately.2%. , SeaBus. stats for 1997-98 . g ridership-at 5.378 million, ~ down from 5.430 million the, YOu. tha: ‘chamne the - Vancouver or Burnaby with- out upgrading their single- zone ticket. Previously, a one-zone ticket was good for travel across the Lower Mainland during non-peak hours. “And secondly, in the sum- mer of 1996 we had the con- struction on the Second Narrows crossing,” Acres said. “So we had abnormally high ridership during thar ea ” Indeed, the SeaBus rider- ship increased 20% during the bridge upgrade, and bus pas- sengers increased “10 to 15%” according to Acres. West Vancouver's Blue Bus service jumped from 5,108,000 in 1996-97 to 5,273,000 last fiscal year. “That’s definitely a posi- . tive trend,” Acres said. “West Vancouver always has high __ fidership satisfaction.” He added that the increased use of the Blue Bus service could indicate more -. people are using public trans- portation to commute to downtown Vancouver. from the North Shore municipali- " BC Tran sit estimates com- bined ridership on buses, the ‘SeaBus and the West Coast ‘Express commuter line for 1997-98 grew 1.3%, from 222.7 million in 1996-97, to ” 225.6 million. Ridership numbers _ in 1997-98 for buses (including the Blue Bus service) is 177.03 million; for SkyTrain 41.56 million: for SeaBus 2 5. 38 million: and for the West - classes of drivers. las is diver : am nciden if you qu for a road test ake it ad ‘fail it, you only have to wait ©. weeks before taking ‘another One — same as it ever was, ~ “Now; it. should be noted os that a Class’7 licence is essen- © a mally the same thing as a Ls Class § licence. The only : thing separating Class 7 “Guy . * from Class’5, Guy is a cute. little green. magnet slapped - neatly beside. your FOX ~ ROCKS bumper sticker. Plus, Class 7 Guy can’t turn around aad become =" Taxi Driver Guy or Dump Truck Driver guy. He has to . wait a 1% years before getting his “marauders’ licence” (Class 4 or 3). Thank God for that brief respite! * While there are a fair number of new drivezs who can motor about with the best of us, there are enough inept rookies causin ne prob- lems that lumping all new drivers into one system was a prudent move on the part of ICBC; it may not be fair to a few of you, but it’s fair for + the vast majority of the vast majority. And look, Class 7 Guy, z you’re of a new. breed, a new + ilk, a new Coiisortium of That’s-so, minimal as to be *, new-aged drivers forced to * Mughiable,: especially when you consider B.C.’s already- : ultra-tough drinking and d/i- ving laws which apply to all ‘take your time and do it nem That’s pretty cool, I think. Be safe. Rear wheel drive 2.91, 24 valve, 6 cylinder ABS brakes / alley wheels Electronic climate control wood trim Gloss sunroof Remote keyless entry / alarm Cruise cont Fog lights Power seats & much more good | iS 1998 Saturn SL ON THE NORTH SHORE tw? 164/ 36 mos with a $2,000 downpayment . Parchase’14,645 Ait prices include Freight and PDI km over 3 years wit a charge of I 2¢ per > kilometre over that amoun These offers apply to customers with approved credit. With i a $2, 000 the lease is $8,347 and $11,650 respectively, the obligation for each is $7,904 and $9,524. The SL has an MSRP of $14,643 and the SCI is $18,203. All costs are subject to applicable taxes and retailers are free to set individ- ual selling and lease prices. e SATURN. A DIFFERENT KIND ef COMPANY. Keres what you : “Amount of downpaymen nent pay montbly i . SL SC} $179. $224 $194. $239 $224 $269 with sie - Coadtoning add limon” ( additional cost based on $0 downpayment)’ A DIFFERENT KIND of CAR. N\ en Saab Isuzu Morrey Saturn Saab Isuzu wie Saturn 5660 Minoru Boulevard "Richmond 273-1001 : ‘08627... 4451 Lougheed Highway. Burnaby ‘294-1831 - 5350 ogy Bye -Pass Surrey. 5 bree