Monday October 30, 2023 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated 4:15 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
BC Transit and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC) are seeking the public’s input on potential changes to fares.
Costs went up during the pandemic while ridership went down. BC Transit does get various types of funding support from federal and provincial levels of government, but it looks like the cost of everything has caught up with them.
Operations and demand both up:
The cost of operating transit has increased — including a new electronic payment system. They also have overhead like free transit fares on holidays as well as helping to promote events like Go By Bike Week.
BC Transit also says that demand for service is growing due to an “ever-growing population”.
The last fare increase took place in 2010 and now the VRTC is looking to balance funding sources to help maintain and improve service in the Victoria Regional Transit System.
New fare structure options:
On September 12, 2023, the VRTC approved four options for a new fare structure for BC Transit buses in the Victoria region.
Here are the options that are being considered:
- $2.75 cash fare, $5.50 DayPASS, and $50 concession pass
- $2.75 cash fare, $5.50 DayPASS, and $55 concession pass
- $3.00 cash fare, $6.00 DayPASS, and $55 concession pass
- $3.00 cash fare, $6.00 DayPASS, $90 adult pass and $55 concession pass
These proposed changes will apply to both custom and conventional transit.
Public input:
Before moving ahead with a decision, BC Transit is engaging with the public to get their thoughts.
There will be three in-person engagement session around the region:
- November 14 from 10 am to 12 noon | Saanich Commonwealth Place, 4636 Elk Lake Dr
- November 15 from 3 pm to 5 pm | Greater Victoria Public Library Central Branch, 735 Broughton St
- November 16 from 1 pm to 3 pm | Juan De Fuca Recreation Centre, 1767 Island Hwy
Online survey:
A survey about the BC Transit rate increase options is online now through December 15, 2023.
For more information about trip planning, schedules and to sign up for customer alerts, please visit bctransit.com/victoria
