The Better Transit Alliance was featured in the final of a three part series in the Goldstream News Gazette on transportation issues on Greater Victoria’s West Shore. The ‘West Shore on the Go’ series by Joel Tansey is a very worthwhile read, particularly Part 1 – Commuting transit riders want improved travel times
Transit alliance advocates for improvements
Last year, a group of citizens in the Capital Region formed the Better Transit Alliance of Greater Victoria, a grassroots organization that seeks improved public transportation, no matter what form it may take.
Eric Doherty, one of the organization’s founding members, moved to the region a year ago from the Lower Mainland and has already noticed some issues with transportation on southern Vancouver Island.
“The biggest thing I’ve noticed is buses being stuck in traffic on the highway,” he said. “I’ve gotten used to being on Highway 99 (in Vancouver) and having the shoulder bus lane and being able to be on the transit bus and whiz by a whole bunch of cars stuck in traffic. That’s what was really a bit shocking here.”
In addition to the pursuit of bus lanes, the organization plans to advocate for a raised gas tax in the region and will look to approach and work with municipal governments to lobby provincial and federal governments to respect climate change initiatives.
“That’s kind of our longer term goal,” Doherty noted.
For more information about the organization, visit bettertransityyj.com.
West Shore on the Go (Part 3 of 3): Councillors from Langford, Colwood look for solutions