Help the Victoria Regional Transit Commission strike a balance between the price you pay to ride the bus and the amount of property tax you contribute to run BC Transit.
The VRTC is looking to set fare rates for the next three years. You are encouraged to phone, email or complete an online survey to add your opinion to the debate.
“The Commission values BC Transit customers and local taxpayers,” said VRTC Chair Susan Brice. “Before we make a three year commitment to fare increases, we need as many voices as possible in order to make the most informed decision.”
A dedicated voicemail line has been set up at BC Transit to listen to your input. Call 250.995.5683; leave your name, phone number and preferred fare increase option.
Send an email to fareproposal@bctransit.com with your preference.
The online survey can be found from now until November 9, 2012 at http://www.bctransit.com/transitfuture/vicfare_latestupdates.cfm
BC Transit carried a record 25.35 million passengers in Greater Victoria in 2011/12. Fares account for nearly 30% of all Victoria Regional Transit funding. Property tax contributions help fund another 21% of transit operations. The remaining funds come from the Government of British Columbia, the fuel tax and advertising revenue.
Victoria Service Review
The Victoria Regional Transit Commission has initiated a Service Review of the Transit System, this initiative is one of the components of the long term Transit Future Plan strategy. The intent of the Transit Service Review is to improve the existing service to customers and the effectiveness of the transit to ensure the resources invested in the system are used in the best possible way. The Service Review will also outline future service expansions that will guide the development of future three-year Service and Financial Strategies. The first stage of the Service Review was to develop Service Performance Guidelines, which were approved by the Transit Commission on September 11th 2012 . The Performance Guidelines will now be will be used as part of a broader planning process to develop possible service change recommendations to the Victoria Transit Commission. BC Transit staff will now apply the Performance Guidelines to begin to review and analyze the transit system to develop some “quick win” service options for approval by the Commission in February with possible implementation in the fall of 2013.
The website for the service review is here: http://www.bctransit.com/transitfuture/vicreg_latestupdates.cfm
For more information, please contact:
Meribeth Burton
Corporate Spokesperson | BC Transit
d: 250.995.5720
c: 250.507.8145