BC Transit sees highest growth in 10 years

BC Transit has released its annual report for 2018-19, touting achievements such as increases in ridership and service expansions across the province.

Province-wide ridership was up six per cent with 57 million annual passenger trips, the highest growth in 10 years.

About 58,000 annualized service hours were added by implementing 23 service expansions across 17 transit systems.

“Service expansions across the province also included the introduction of new transit routes, improved frequency, extended hours of operation, and investments in custom handyDART service,” a Transit news release said.

In 2018/19 BC Transit placed a focus on improving the customer experience through technology including the rollout of its real-time bus location technology, NextRide, in six communities, allowing customers to track their bus using their mobile devices.

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NextRide also reduces barriers for the visually impaired by enabling automatic next stop announcements, and provides passenger information displays on-board buses and at selected bus stops to assist those with hearing impairments.

BC Transit also continued to leverage its fleet replacement program to reduce the increasing maintenance costs of an aging fleet, while supporting the province’s greenhouse gas reduction targets by implementing more fuel-efficient and green technology.

Battery-Electric Bus (BEB) pilots were also conducted in Victoria to help determine the state of readiness and operational capabilities of this type of technology and how BEBs may factor into moving to a low carbon fleet. This included the first in-service trial of a battery electric bus for three months in Victoria.

“It’s great to see more and more people choosing transit in B.C. Public transit helps make B.C. communities more affordable and inclusive, while cutting congestion and lowering our carbon footprint,” Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, said.

Click here to view the 2018/19 Annual Report.