An efficient and affordable transit system is a key factor in economic activity, reducing the effects of climate change, and healthier lifestyles, said Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure while addressing a BC Transit workshop titled, ‘Exploring possibilities, embracing change.’

Communities throughout the province will benefit from increased operational funding and new capital investment, Stone told municipal leaders, transit planners and operating companies.

“BC Transit and its local government partners have done an enormous amount of work in recent years to keep costs down, which puts them in a good position to take advantage of the recently-announced federal infrastructure funding for expansion and technology upgrades,” said Stone. “Transit is more than getting from point A to point B – it is the stimulus for substantial change in the way we live in British Columbia. It affects our lives, our economy and our environment.”

This year the Province has provided a funding lift of $12.7 million over three years to go toward increasing transit services, with a focus on expanded door-to-door handyDART services in targeted communities, adding an extra 8,000 hours of handyDART services each year.

The Province is now working with the federal government to identify projects and service improvements eligible under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, which will be discussed with partner municipalities in the coming weeks.

“BC Transit along with our partners remain committed to providing efficient and effective public transit service in the over 130 communities we serve,” said BC Transit president and CEO Manuel Achadinha. “The additional funding from the provincial and federal governments provides a great opportunity to connect people and communities to more sustainable transportation options across B.C.”

In partnership with local governments, BC Transit provides access to public transit to more than 1.6 million British Columbians in 130 communities outside Metro Vancouver. The Province is providing BC Transit with more than $110 million in capital contributions and $324 million in operating contributions over the next three years – the highest level of operating support for transit in Canada. As a result of this support, some communities with as few as 1,000 people have access to transit, making it unique in Canada for service in smaller communities.

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For information about BC Transit, please visit http://bctransit.com/victoria/about/facts