Tuesday February 3, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted 9:03 pm | Updated February 4, 2026 at 5:03 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
That’s the question: should there be a direct BC Transit bus service out to the Victoria Airport?
There’s a similar sort of service run by the private Wilson’s Transportation bus service, from downtown Victoria out to the ferry terminal.
“While Sidney residents have a direct link to the airport, there are currently no direct routes between Downtown Victoria and the airport,” says BC Transit. “BC Transit is seeking public feedback on potential options for providing this service.”
Both the airport and ferry travel hubs are in the North Saanich/Sidney area on the Saanich Peninsula. Both travel modes are essential for getting off and back to Vancouver Island.
Online survey:
BC Transit currently has an online survey to provide your input, available February 3 to 15, 2026.
There are 37 questions. Be prepared to think through a range of options for routes, time of day, dedicated service or added to an existing service, etc.
In-person questions:
There will also be two opportunities in person to learn about BC Transit’s proposed changes, being held at two busy shopping malls:
- Wednesday February 11 at Save-On-Foods, 2345 Beacon Ave, Sidney – 1 pm to 4 pm
- Thursday February 12 at the Walmart in Uptown Shopping Centre, 3460 Saanich Road, Saanich – 4 pm to 7 pm
“The goal of this engagement is to reach as many people as possible, and connecting with people at the high traffic areas we have targeted will allow our team to engage and have in-person conversations with more Greater Victoria residents,” says BC Transit in a statement to Island Social Trends.
Adding to an existing route:
BC Transit outlines what they feel are the benefits of adding service to the Airport to one of their existing routes:
- Earlier Implementation: Could be put into service as early as September 2026.
- Low Cost: Could be accommodated close to cost-neutrally through service optimization efforts.
- Improved Directness: Provides a direct route between Downtown and YYJ.
- Improved Evening and Weekend YYJ Service: Provides an improved service span and evening/ weekend service frequency to YYJ.
Current routes:
Currently, customers travelling between Downtown Victoria and the Victoria International Airport take a Route 70 or 72 to the McTavish Exchange, then transfer to either a Route 87 or Route 88 bus.
People travelling to and from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal can take Routes 70, 71, 72 76 and 81.
Link to Routes and Schedules
===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: BC TRANSIT | AIRPORTS | BC FERRIES | SAANICH PENINSULA