Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone has released the following statement on adding an additional seat to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, and appointing Sooke Mayor Maja Tait to that role:

“In response to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission’s request to expand the number of its members from seven to eight to reflect the growing population in the region, the Province is pleased to announce the appointment of Sooke Mayor Maja Tait to the Commission.

“The Victoria Regional Transit Commission was formed in 1982, and its mandate is to provide oversight and represent the transit needs of Greater Victoria. Over the years, the population and demographic makeup of the region has changed with the western communities growing at a much faster rate than the rest of Greater Victoria. It’s important that the western communities’ voice and needs are fairly represented on the Commission.

“Now, the Mayor of Sooke, Maja Tait, will join the Mayor of Colwood, Carol Hamilton, in representing the interests of the residents of the western communities on the commission.

“Mayor Tait has been a strong advocate for transit improvements along Highway 14 and in Western Communities and already has an established working relationship with BC Transit and members of the Victoria Regional Transit Commission. I am confident that she will provide able leadership as she continues to represent the needs of the communities she serves, while balancing the broader needs of the entire region.

“Today’s decision will help us continue to build on the transit investments and improvements we’re making in Sooke and the western communities. Over the last few years, BC Transit and the commission have added double-decker buses to increase capacity, installed additional bus shelters along Highway 14, has adjusted bus routes to improve service to and from SEAPARC Leisure Complex, introduced a Saturday night trip to and from Victoria, and built a new Park and Ride on Highway 14.

“Additionally, the Province and federal government have recently announced nearly $160 million in funding to further improve transit services throughout the province. This includes a $10-million extension to the Douglas Street northbound bus lane, from Tolmie Avenue to the McKenzie interchange that will reduce congestion on one of Victoria’s major transit routes servicing West Shore communities.

“We will continue to work together toward improving and evolving public transit to meet the needs for everyone in Greater Victoria.”

A backgrounder follows.