Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mary Polak announced today the government's official response to the 18 recommendations of the BC Transit Independent Review Panel, which also included a list of three options for transit governance in the capital region.

The response provides a comprehensive foundation to improve communication and information sharing between BC Transit and local governments. With greater transparency and more frequent access to vital information, local governments will be able to make better and more informed decisions about transit services for families and their communities.

The government of British Columbia called for an independent review after listening to the concerns of communities about BC Transit's performance and operations. The panel examined communications between BC Transit and local government, as well as how funding and other relationships operate. The government released the panel's final report in August.

The panel concluded that British Columbians receive good value for their transit dollar, but provided recommendations for improvement to the decision-making process, the governance structure and the accountabilities between BC Transit, local governments and the B.C. government.

Quotes:

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mary Polak -

"The panel said we have a good transit system. We are taking action to make it even better by strengthening the partnership between BC Transit and local governments."

"By working together, we will deliver an even-better transit service that meets the diverse needs of families and communities across the province."

UBCM president Heath Slee -

"The independent panel did a good job at engaging local governments to solicit meaningful feedback. Now that the provincial government has provided an official response to the report, local governments will be able to judge for themselves whether the recommendations address the concerns raised during the consultation period."

"I encourage all communities that utilize BC Transit's service to provide feedback to the minister."

Joe Stanhope, chair, Regional District of Nanaimo -

"I would like to commend the ministry and the independent review panel for recognizing that local governments need to be directly involved with transit planning in their communities."

"We look forward to working in closer partnership with BC Transit to meet the transportation needs of our residents."

Quick Facts:

• BC Transit is the provincial Crown agency charged with co-ordinating the delivery of public transportation throughout British Columbia, outside of Metro Vancouver.

• In most municipalities, the B.C. government contributes 47 per cent of funding for conventional transit service and local governments contribute 53 per cent.

• Local funding includes fare and advertising revenue and property tax.

• In Greater Victoria, the B.C. government contributes 32 per cent of funding for conventional transit service and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission contributes 68 per cent of funding.

• Local funding includes advertising and fare revenue, property tax and regional fuel tax.

• BC Transit works in partnership with 58 local government partners to provide public transit services in over 130 communities:

• Contracts with 18 private operating companies, five public operating organizations and 14 non-profit agencies.

• Carried 51.6 million passenger trips in 2011-12.

• Serves more than 1.5 million people in B.C.

• Operates 81 transit systems.

• Owns a fleet of 1,001 conventional and double-deck buses, minibuses and vans.

• Delivered 2,170,00 total service hours in 2011-12.

• Had total expenditures in 2011-12 of $262 million.

Learn More:

To view a copy of the official response and learn more about the independent review of BC Transit, please visit: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/BC_Transit_Review/index.html

Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241