Transit should be more reliable than driving during snow days, says critic

Kori Sidaway – CHEK
More snow than expected brought public transit in Victoria to a brief standstill.

That was much to the frustration of users, who questioned the region’s transportation system’s decision and challenged it to do better.

“When there’s only a little bit of snow, you don’t expect the whole transit system to shut down,” said Eric Doherty, a member of the Better Transit Alliance for Greater Victoria.

Five to 10 centimetres blanketed the region overnight, and Saanich Police told CHEK News they responded to five crashes between 6 and 7 a.m.

But with roads more slushy than snowy, walking appeared to be the more treacherous morning commute. However, it was even more trouble for those walking to a bus stop.

“I don’t think BC Transit takes reliability seriously enough,” said Doherty.

Despite the relatively small accumulation, BC Transit suspended service in Victoria temporarily, with many routes not fully serviced until 11 a.m.

Doherty is calling for better transit in the Capital Region, saying if the province is serious about its climate goals, transit should be more reliable than driving.

“The provincial government has committed to having 25 per cent less driving by 2030 as part of their Clean BC climate plan,” said Doherty.

“If transit isn’t reliable, there’s no way that we’re going to get the thousands and thousands of people to stop driving and take transit.”

In a statement to CHEK News, BC Transit said it was “not a decision the organization took lightly.”

Transportation contradictions popped up in Sooke and Nanaimo School Districts as well. Schools were open later than usual, but bus services were cancelled.

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The decision angered at least one parent, prompting them to take to Twitter and say parents shouldn’t be expected to drive to school if buses aren’t operating.

In contrast, Victoria School District remained open, and instead of stopping its bus services, it added more.

Source: www.cheknews.ca/transit-should-be-more-reliable-than-driving-during-snow-days-says-critic-1142710/

“You can’t expect people to ride transit if they can’t get to the bus safely.”

Sue Stroud of the Better Transit Alliance of Greater Victoria agreed, saying the number of deaths and injuries rises dramatically with every 10 kilometres per hour over 30. “Forty’s a good start, but 30 would be a lot better,” she said. “I think we’ll just keep trying to persuade them that 30 is a lot safer and people get where they’re going just as fast.”

Pilot project to reduce speed limit on Saanich residential roads to 40 km/h to go ahead

Jeff Bell / Times Colonist October 28, 2020

A pilot project to lower the default speed limit on residential roads in Saanich to 40 km/h could begin next year.

Continue reading ““You can’t expect people to ride transit if they can’t get to the bus safely.””

BTA in News – Stimulus money should fund green transportation, not highways

Jennifer Saltman Jul 08, 2020

Municipal politicians say federal and provincial stimulus money should be spent on transportation projects that reduce pollution, not highway and airport expansions.

More than 250 local government leaders, who are members of a national network called the Climate Caucus, have penned an open letter calling for economic-recovery cash — and other infrastructure funding — to be used to improve transit service and create opportunities for walking and cycling.

Continue reading “BTA in News – Stimulus money should fund green transportation, not highways”

BTA in the News – “Very good thing, to focus on making the transit network faster and more frequent”

Bus every 9 minutes being considered for busy routes
Jeff Bell / Times Colonist
June 30, 2020


A “rapid-bus” system that could send buses along certain routes every nine minutes is being studied by B.C. Transit.
The system would be faster, more frequent and more reliable than what exists now, said Matthew Boyd, B.C. Transit’s director of corporate and strategic planning.

Continue reading “BTA in the News – “Very good thing, to focus on making the transit network faster and more frequent””

Transit riders group calls Greater Victoria bus cancellations a ‘crisis’

Watch video here: https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/transit-riders-group-calls-greater-victoria-bus-cancellations-a-crisis-1.4672762

VICTORIA – Frustrated commuters will continue to face travel woes for the remainder of the year until new equipment and busses arrive in Victoria.

Continue reading “Transit riders group calls Greater Victoria bus cancellations a ‘crisis’”

Great letter to editor by Better Transit Alliance member

Letters to the editor are crucial for getting better transit. Please consider writing a letter to the editor today!

Times Colonist

March 17, 2019

Re: “$16M OK’d to complete key bus lane,” March 7.

It’s great to see that another small portion of the Trans-Canada Highway will see completed bus lanes in the near future. However, these small pieces of the larger whole are not coming fast enough to address the congestion issues that still exist out to the Six Mile Road area. Continue reading “Great letter to editor by Better Transit Alliance member”

Media Release – South Vancouver Island Transportation Strategy Undermines BC’s Climate Goals

March 7, 2019                      Media Release – For Immediate Release

Victoria, BC – Victorians for Transportation Choice (VTC) challenges the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to align its southern Vancouver Island transportation strategy with BC’s climate action goals, including legislated GHG reduction targets.

Continue reading “Media Release – South Vancouver Island Transportation Strategy Undermines BC’s Climate Goals”

Better Transit Alliance Makes Car Free Day News

Dads find Car Free YYJ tailor-made for Father’s Day
Jeff Bell / Times Colonist
June 17, 2018

BTA Members Sue & Robin take a break at Car Free Day

The World’s Coolest Dad — at least, that’s what his T-shirt said — spent part of his Father’s Day at the annual Car Free YYJ celebration on Douglas Street.
Jason Rolstone and 14-year-old daughter Katie strolled through the growing throng just before noon to get to a lunch date with his parents. Rolstone said he is a fan of the car-free gathering.
“It’s a wonderful event.” Continue reading “Better Transit Alliance Makes Car Free Day News”

BTA Letter to editor in TC – Get bus lanes rolling now

Times Colonist May 19, 2018

Re: “Horgan puts brakes on light rail for E&N,” column, May 16.

I’m glad Premier John Horgan is focused on getting the Douglas Street/Trans-Canada Highway bus lanes completed before moving on to more complex transit projects.

The 24/7 bus lanes on Douglas Street and parts of the Trans-Canada Highway are already under construction. Completing the highway shoulder bus lanes as far as the Six Mile Pub area will be simple, inexpensive and quick. It is a good project, and should not be left half finished.

Now that electric buses cost about the same as diesel buses over their lifetime, bus lanes can provide climate-friendly, quiet, fast and inexpensive transportation. Horgan’s climate action plan won’t be released until the fall, but he should get the bus lane completion rolling today.

Tomorrow he should start ordering hundreds of electric buses.

Eric Doherty
Better Transit Alliance of Greater Victoria

www.timescolonist.com/opinion/letters/get-bus-lanes-rolling-now-1.23307893