Better Transit YYJ
@bettertransityyj.ca
Advocating for more and better transit in the Capital Region of BC
bettertransityyj.ca
bettertransityyj.ca
Reposted by Better Transit YYJ
Reposted by Better Transit YYJ
The 2026 Budget freezes transit funding and forces service cuts. Write your MLA and tell them to protect transit funding! At the minimum, the BC gov should allow local governments to make up for lost funding. #yyj #bcpoli
bettertransityyj.ca/2026/02/17/2...
bettertransityyj.ca/2026/02/17/2...
“We fall behind by standing still”: Transit riders warn provincial transit cuts set up fiscal cliff
February 17th, Victoria BC Transit advocates are warning that proposed BC Transit funding cuts tee up a disastrous scenario for transit services across the province. Budget 2026, released Feb 17th,…
bettertransityyj.ca
February 18, 2026 at 7:36 AM
The 2026 Budget freezes transit funding and forces service cuts. Write your MLA and tell them to protect transit funding! At the minimum, the BC gov should allow local governments to make up for lost funding. #yyj #bcpoli
bettertransityyj.ca/2026/02/17/2...
bettertransityyj.ca/2026/02/17/2...
Our latest newsletter is out! mailchi.mp/a43ac17f9af1...
As a highlight, we now have our membership structure set up! You can sign up to become a member at bettertransityyj.ca/membership/
As a highlight, we now have our membership structure set up! You can sign up to become a member at bettertransityyj.ca/membership/
Volunteer Signup, Canvassing Wednesday, and What Comes Next
mailchi.mp
February 12, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Our latest newsletter is out! mailchi.mp/a43ac17f9af1...
As a highlight, we now have our membership structure set up! You can sign up to become a member at bettertransityyj.ca/membership/
As a highlight, we now have our membership structure set up! You can sign up to become a member at bettertransityyj.ca/membership/
There's a lot BC can learn from in this excellent report. Perhaps most directly relevant for #yyj : we need to plan transit around our goals as a region, not around ideology. Also, we need to empower at least one set of decision-makers to actually build what we need as a region.
February 6, 2026 at 8:38 PM
There's a lot BC can learn from in this excellent report. Perhaps most directly relevant for #yyj : we need to plan transit around our goals as a region, not around ideology. Also, we need to empower at least one set of decision-makers to actually build what we need as a region.
BC Transit is looking for your input on service to the airport. Take the survey, or chat with them in person.
We encourage you to tell transit to fix overcrowding and improve frequencies on important routes before investing into airport service. #yyj #bctransit
engage.bctransit.com/victoria-air...
We encourage you to tell transit to fix overcrowding and improve frequencies on important routes before investing into airport service. #yyj #bctransit
engage.bctransit.com/victoria-air...
Victoria Airport Service Options
We need your input! BC Transit is exploring improved service opportunities to the Victoria International Airport (YYJ). BC Transit most recently presented service options to local decision-makers in F...
engage.bctransit.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:58 PM
BC Transit is looking for your input on service to the airport. Take the survey, or chat with them in person.
We encourage you to tell transit to fix overcrowding and improve frequencies on important routes before investing into airport service. #yyj #bctransit
engage.bctransit.com/victoria-air...
We encourage you to tell transit to fix overcrowding and improve frequencies on important routes before investing into airport service. #yyj #bctransit
engage.bctransit.com/victoria-air...
Check out our latest newsletter and come say Hi this Wednesday PM rush hour as we connect with transit riders along Douglas Street!
mailchi.mp/851a672034c9...
mailchi.mp/851a672034c9...
Volunteer Signup, Canvassing Wednesday, and What Comes Next
mailchi.mp
January 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Check out our latest newsletter and come say Hi this Wednesday PM rush hour as we connect with transit riders along Douglas Street!
mailchi.mp/851a672034c9...
mailchi.mp/851a672034c9...
This problem isn't just American. Victoria routes are often bogged down with frequent, underused stops. This really slows down our busses.
Would you walk a few minutes more if it meant your bus was significantly faster?
Would you walk a few minutes more if it meant your bus was significantly faster?
January 19, 2026 at 10:05 PM
This problem isn't just American. Victoria routes are often bogged down with frequent, underused stops. This really slows down our busses.
Would you walk a few minutes more if it meant your bus was significantly faster?
Would you walk a few minutes more if it meant your bus was significantly faster?
🎵Guess who's back, back again? QMP's back, tell a friend!🎵
Saanich votes Jan 19 on the Quadra–McKenzie Plan. Transit riders need faster, reliable buses now. Speak up: email council@saanich.ca or attend the meeting. Don’t let a small minority stall progress for thousands of daily riders.
Saanich votes Jan 19 on the Quadra–McKenzie Plan. Transit riders need faster, reliable buses now. Speak up: email council@saanich.ca or attend the meeting. Don’t let a small minority stall progress for thousands of daily riders.
January 14, 2026 at 4:29 PM
🎵Guess who's back, back again? QMP's back, tell a friend!🎵
Saanich votes Jan 19 on the Quadra–McKenzie Plan. Transit riders need faster, reliable buses now. Speak up: email council@saanich.ca or attend the meeting. Don’t let a small minority stall progress for thousands of daily riders.
Saanich votes Jan 19 on the Quadra–McKenzie Plan. Transit riders need faster, reliable buses now. Speak up: email council@saanich.ca or attend the meeting. Don’t let a small minority stall progress for thousands of daily riders.
Last week we got to see the first midday service on the 51, which runs UVic to the Westshore!
Midday takes 30 min to go from Colwood to UVic, very comparable to driving. If you've ever taken it at rush hour you'll know it often takes 60 min or more. It's time to get these busses out of traffic!
Midday takes 30 min to go from Colwood to UVic, very comparable to driving. If you've ever taken it at rush hour you'll know it often takes 60 min or more. It's time to get these busses out of traffic!
January 12, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Last week we got to see the first midday service on the 51, which runs UVic to the Westshore!
Midday takes 30 min to go from Colwood to UVic, very comparable to driving. If you've ever taken it at rush hour you'll know it often takes 60 min or more. It's time to get these busses out of traffic!
Midday takes 30 min to go from Colwood to UVic, very comparable to driving. If you've ever taken it at rush hour you'll know it often takes 60 min or more. It's time to get these busses out of traffic!
Come join us this Friday, Jan 2, to ride the last ever trip on the Route 82!
For those in the peninsula, the bus will overlap with an 87 heading back to Sidney. For those coming from the Core or Westshore, transfers to Route 72 or 75 head back into Victoria from Saanichton Exchange.
For those in the peninsula, the bus will overlap with an 87 heading back to Sidney. For those coming from the Core or Westshore, transfers to Route 72 or 75 head back into Victoria from Saanichton Exchange.
January 1, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Come join us this Friday, Jan 2, to ride the last ever trip on the Route 82!
For those in the peninsula, the bus will overlap with an 87 heading back to Sidney. For those coming from the Core or Westshore, transfers to Route 72 or 75 head back into Victoria from Saanichton Exchange.
For those in the peninsula, the bus will overlap with an 87 heading back to Sidney. For those coming from the Core or Westshore, transfers to Route 72 or 75 head back into Victoria from Saanichton Exchange.
Reposted by Better Transit YYJ
Politicians love improving transit because it's super popular and they know they'll be rewarded at the polls!
Our streetcars are getting a boost! Council just voted to speed up our LRTs and streetcars with changes to signal priority, left-turn restrictions, and more. I'm looking forward to the City Manager's plan to improve streetcar speed and reliability early next year -- on Line 6 and elsewhere! 👏
December 16, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Politicians love improving transit because it's super popular and they know they'll be rewarded at the polls!
Reposted by Better Transit YYJ
Speed Matters.
Some thoughts about transit and speed, life, space and time.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Some thoughts about transit and speed, life, space and time.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Speed matters
Of time, life and space. Or why transit speed matters.
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Speed Matters.
Some thoughts about transit and speed, life, space and time.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Some thoughts about transit and speed, life, space and time.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Did you know that almost 40% of emissions in the CRD come from road transportation?
Investing in transit to shift trips from private automobiles will be essential for decreasing these emssions. The CRD does not currently have a concrete plan around transit, but it must if we are to hit our targets.
Investing in transit to shift trips from private automobiles will be essential for decreasing these emssions. The CRD does not currently have a concrete plan around transit, but it must if we are to hit our targets.
December 17, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Did you know that almost 40% of emissions in the CRD come from road transportation?
Investing in transit to shift trips from private automobiles will be essential for decreasing these emssions. The CRD does not currently have a concrete plan around transit, but it must if we are to hit our targets.
Investing in transit to shift trips from private automobiles will be essential for decreasing these emssions. The CRD does not currently have a concrete plan around transit, but it must if we are to hit our targets.
Our region keeps coming back to the E&N (through Esquimalt) to look at commuter rail service. Time and time again, the experts have told our regional officials that it just doesn't make sense. Higher order transit in the CRD needs to address the Douglas corridor.
Mayors to work with First Nations on commuter rail that doesn't cut reserve land in half
Esquimalt Nation does not want any future passenger rail service to bisect its 19.3-hectare reserve, but no alternate route has been proposed.
www.timescolonist.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Our region keeps coming back to the E&N (through Esquimalt) to look at commuter rail service. Time and time again, the experts have told our regional officials that it just doesn't make sense. Higher order transit in the CRD needs to address the Douglas corridor.
It's opening day on the new Finch West LRT and things aren't looking great. It goes to show that project goals are key to what you get. In the CRD, we need to be thinking about the level and quality of service rather than vehicle type. 1/
It’s insane that within just a few weeks, two of Canada’s major cities opened polar opposite transit systems.
REM - An extension to a high frequency, fast, fully automated metro system
Finch West - A many years late, over budget, disastrously slow light rail line
REM - An extension to a high frequency, fast, fully automated metro system
Finch West - A many years late, over budget, disastrously slow light rail line
Finch
REM
REM
December 7, 2025 at 10:29 PM
It's opening day on the new Finch West LRT and things aren't looking great. It goes to show that project goals are key to what you get. In the CRD, we need to be thinking about the level and quality of service rather than vehicle type. 1/
Thanks to everyone who came out to our open house this last week! We had a great time planning out where Better Transit is headed (:
December 7, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Thanks to everyone who came out to our open house this last week! We had a great time planning out where Better Transit is headed (:
The Finch West LRT fiasco shows we need to be very careful about exactly what we get when people promise "LRT." While the CRD needs higher order transit, major infrastructure investment needs to result in fast, frequent, and reliable service.
At $240M/km, Finch West LRT is…
- MORE expensive per-km than the Sheppard Subway
- 2X the per-km cost of the Montreal REM & underground metros in other developed nations
… for a tram that’s SLOWER than a bus in traffic.
Let’s not mislead the public; Line 6 should be the 536 Finch West streetcar!
- MORE expensive per-km than the Sheppard Subway
- 2X the per-km cost of the Montreal REM & underground metros in other developed nations
… for a tram that’s SLOWER than a bus in traffic.
Let’s not mislead the public; Line 6 should be the 536 Finch West streetcar!
November 30, 2025 at 12:16 AM
The Finch West LRT fiasco shows we need to be very careful about exactly what we get when people promise "LRT." While the CRD needs higher order transit, major infrastructure investment needs to result in fast, frequent, and reliable service.
Great to see service restored! While this change also comes with frequency cuts on several routes, @bctransit.com is throwing in new deckers to reduce overcrowding.
Regarding SSMUH: We hope @christineboyle.bsky.social takes note! This affects Oak Bay, View Royal, Victoria, Esquimalt, and Saanich.
Regarding SSMUH: We hope @christineboyle.bsky.social takes note! This affects Oak Bay, View Royal, Victoria, Esquimalt, and Saanich.
#yyj in January, routes 14 and 15 will be seeing their weekend service restored to 15 mins 0800-1900, a COVID cut dating back to early 2022.
BC's provincial SSMUH policy for frequent transit will finally no longer only apply to one singular bus route outside of Metro Vancouver.
BC's provincial SSMUH policy for frequent transit will finally no longer only apply to one singular bus route outside of Metro Vancouver.
November 29, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Great to see service restored! While this change also comes with frequency cuts on several routes, @bctransit.com is throwing in new deckers to reduce overcrowding.
Regarding SSMUH: We hope @christineboyle.bsky.social takes note! This affects Oak Bay, View Royal, Victoria, Esquimalt, and Saanich.
Regarding SSMUH: We hope @christineboyle.bsky.social takes note! This affects Oak Bay, View Royal, Victoria, Esquimalt, and Saanich.
And for this reason, the recommendation in the review for a sustainable transit funding model cannot be overstated!
This is how we go from a transit death spiral to a system that provides the broad societal value the CleanBC review says it does.
This is how we go from a transit death spiral to a system that provides the broad societal value the CleanBC review says it does.
“Transit expansion is the climate solution that is also a cost-of-living solution.” – Denis Agar, quoted in a HUB Cycling press release in response to CleanBC.
Read more:
Read more:
Media Release: CleanBC Review directs government to cleaner, safer and more affordable transportation direction | HUB Cycling: Bike Events, Education, Action in Metro Vancouver
The newly released independent CleanBC Review shows how implementing the existing CleanBC plan would improve affordability, health, and safety.“Protecting children and future generations from climate disasters can make life better and more affordable now,” said Eric Doherty, BC Climate Emergency Campaign transportation working group lead. “The Review points out that improving public transit, walking, rolling and cycling makes life more affordable, while also reducing carbon pollution.”
bikehub.ca
November 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
And for this reason, the recommendation in the review for a sustainable transit funding model cannot be overstated!
This is how we go from a transit death spiral to a system that provides the broad societal value the CleanBC review says it does.
This is how we go from a transit death spiral to a system that provides the broad societal value the CleanBC review says it does.
Want more and better transit‽ Join us Dec 4th at 6:30pm to shape the future of Better Transit YYJ.
meet the team
help with strategic planning
learn how to get involved
meet the team
help with strategic planning
learn how to get involved
November 22, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Want more and better transit‽ Join us Dec 4th at 6:30pm to shape the future of Better Transit YYJ.
meet the team
help with strategic planning
learn how to get involved
meet the team
help with strategic planning
learn how to get involved
We need your help to tell transit commissioners that airport service should come alongside all-day 71 service, which would give Sidney residents and ferry riders an all-day direct downtown connection. Transit doesn't have to be zero-sum.
See the proposal:
www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...
See the proposal:
www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...
www.bctransit.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:22 AM
We need your help to tell transit commissioners that airport service should come alongside all-day 71 service, which would give Sidney residents and ferry riders an all-day direct downtown connection. Transit doesn't have to be zero-sum.
See the proposal:
www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...
See the proposal:
www.bctransit.com/wp-content/u...
Did you know that rapid transit is still being studied in the CRD? Read on to learn more about what's new, where we came from and why this matters:
Without fanfare, the BC Ministry of Transportation released a report that makes a strong case for a Westshore to Victoria rail line, writes Sam Holland
New Study Makes Strong Case for Getting Westshore Rail on Track - Better Columbia
The province quietly updated the 2011 Westshore Rapid Transit Study. They determined that we need transit investment, now more than ever.
bettercolumbia.ca
November 14, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Did you know that rapid transit is still being studied in the CRD? Read on to learn more about what's new, where we came from and why this matters:
BC Transit is looking for input on the new Regional Transit Plan!
engage.bctransit.com/victoria-reg...
Want some ideas on what feedback to give? Check out our guide: bettertransityyj.ca/2025/10/12/s...
engage.bctransit.com/victoria-reg...
Want some ideas on what feedback to give? Check out our guide: bettertransityyj.ca/2025/10/12/s...
Victoria Regional Transit Plan
We need your input! BC Transit is seeking input into the long-term goals and network design priorities for the Victoria Regional Transit Plan. The plan is being developed with input from the Capital R...
engage.bctransit.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:17 AM
BC Transit is looking for input on the new Regional Transit Plan!
engage.bctransit.com/victoria-reg...
Want some ideas on what feedback to give? Check out our guide: bettertransityyj.ca/2025/10/12/s...
engage.bctransit.com/victoria-reg...
Want some ideas on what feedback to give? Check out our guide: bettertransityyj.ca/2025/10/12/s...
Join us next Thursday the 16th at 6pm for a sunset bike ride along the waterfront! Everyone welcome, we'll be talking about public transportation while enjoying active transportation 🚲🚌
October 9, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Join us next Thursday the 16th at 6pm for a sunset bike ride along the waterfront! Everyone welcome, we'll be talking about public transportation while enjoying active transportation 🚲🚌