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Special Council/Documents/Draft Victoria Regional Transit Plan - Update
Presentation

Draft Victoria Regional Transit Plan - Update

May 12, 2026Pages 8–2316 sectionsOriginal PDF

A BC Transit presentation outlining the 25-year vision for the regional transit network, network modernization, and rapid transit priorities.

25-year timeline869,000 service hours in the current system26+ million boardingsDowntown Victoria to Six Mile alignment confirmedNew Saanich Transit Centre

Draft Victoria Regional Transit Plan- Update

Town of View Royal May 12th, 2026

Woman stepping off a transit bus
Woman stepping off a transit bus
Family of four waiting at a bus stop shelter
Family of four waiting at a bus stop shelter
Young man using a smartphone at a transit exchange at night
Young man using a smartphone at a transit exchange at night
Senior couple laughing while sitting at a bus stop with a bus in the background
Senior couple laughing while sitting at a bus stop with a bus in the background
Page 8–23

Presentation Purpose

The purpose of today's presentation is to:

  • Provide an overview and status update for the Victoria Regional Transit Plan and the next steps.
  • To introduce the proposed "Big Moves" for the transit system within the proposed 25-year timeline.

Presentation for INFORMATION and discussion.

A green BC Transit bus traveling on a residential street lined with blooming cherry blossoms
A green BC Transit bus traveling on a residential street lined with blooming cherry blossoms
Passengers boarding a white BC Transit bus, including a cyclist with a bike
Passengers boarding a white BC Transit bus, including a cyclist with a bike
Page 8–23

Victoria Regional Transit Plan - Project Overview

  • The Victoria Regional Transit Plan will:
    • Establish a 25-year vision for the regional network which will align with anticipated growth and travel patterns
    • Develop comprehensive Network and Route Design Guidelines which will shape the evolution of the network over 25 years
    • Consider Rapid Transit priorities
    • Guide future infrastructure investment, including the new Saanich Transit Centre to support fleet growth
Map of the Victoria Regional Corridor Strategy 2024 showing the 25-Year Transit Future Network (2050)
Map of the Victoria Regional Corridor Strategy 2024 showing the 25-Year Transit Future Network (2050)
Page 8–23

Integrating Policy Changes

Provincial "Setting The Ground Rules for Compact, Transit-Oriented Growth" Regional "Building Capacity for Coordinated Transportation Planning" Municipal "Aligning Land Use & Mobility to Support Transit"
• Bill 47 required municipalities to designate TOAs in 5 CRD jurisdictions (Colwood, Langford, Saanich, Victoria, View Royal) • CRD has launched the Regional Transportation Service to enable shared transit/land-use decision-making • Local governments are modernizing their OCPs and zoning bylaws, prioritizing growth along transit corridors and in centres.
• Mandates minimum density and building heights near transit + eliminates parking minimums • Setting regional mode-shift targets and funding origin–destination travel surveys to support evidence-based decision-making • Parking policies are changing with minimums removed or reduced, and TDM plans now required in many areas.
• Refreshed South Island Transportation Plan Strategic Framework emphasizing land use and transportation integration. • Providing support and resources to align municipal OCPs and regional growth planning with transit priorities • Increasing focus on active and multimodal access, with street and trail investments that support future transit use.
Page 8–23

BC Transit Accomplishments

Hand holding a blue Umo transit payment card in front of a bus
Hand holding a blue Umo transit payment card in front of a bus
Aerial view of a bus-only lane on a highway with adjacent heavy traffic congestion
Aerial view of a bus-only lane on a highway with adjacent heavy traffic congestion
A green and white battery electric bus parked in front of a BC Transit facility
A green and white battery electric bus parked in front of a BC Transit facility
Officials participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new transit service
Officials participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new transit service
A "Blink RapidBus" information sign at a transit stop
A "Blink RapidBus" information sign at a transit stop
Promotional graphic stating "Get on board! KIDS 12 & UNDER RIDE FREE"
Promotional graphic stating "Get on board! KIDS 12 & UNDER RIDE FREE"
Page 8–23

Current System

  • 58 routes
  • 303 conventional buses
  • 56 handyDART buses
  • 869,000 hours
  • 26+ million boardings
    • ~750-800k boardings within Town of View Royal (2025-26 Data)
  • Region exceeds peer average in ridership per capita and service hours per capita
Map showing the Victoria Regional Transit System Service Area
Map showing the Victoria Regional Transit System Service Area
Page 8–23

Engagement

Public engagement:

  • 1,857 online survey responses
  • 350+ open house participants
  • 23 stakeholder groups consulted

Plus, workshops with local government partners, regional key stakeholders and major employers, and local neighbourhood associations.

  • Desire for improved frequency, and improved service reliability
  • Interest and support for more Rapid Transit
  • Desire for simplified routes and direct connections
People reviewing information boards at an outdoor public engagement session
People reviewing information boards at an outdoor public engagement session
A BC Transit staff member in a high-visibility vest speaking with a member of the public at an engagement event
A BC Transit staff member in a high-visibility vest speaking with a member of the public at an engagement event
Page 8–23

Network and Route Guidelines

  • Establishes a demand-based framework for making service decisions
  • Provides clarity to public, local government partners, and BC Transit around what kinds of service are expected in different development patterns
  • Modernizes existing service layers and aligns standards to better serve the region into the future
A double-decker BC Transit bus picking up a passenger at a suburban bus stop
A double-decker BC Transit bus picking up a passenger at a suburban bus stop
Diagram illustrating Network Guidelines for connecting Metro, Mixed-Use, and Village Centres, and Route Guidelines for Local, Frequent, and Rapid services
Diagram illustrating Network Guidelines for connecting Metro, Mixed-Use, and Village Centres, and Route Guidelines for Local, Frequent, and Rapid services
Page 8–23

Draft Big Moves

  • Aligns network with local and regional land use policies
  • Modernizes and expands network to serve future residents
  • Implements and expands Rapid Transit services
  • Improves connections between communities within the CRD
  • Supports modernization of handyDART
Map titled "Draft Big Moves" highlighting planned Rapid Transit corridors, Higher Order Transit alignments, and the Uptown Mobility Hub
Map titled "Draft Big Moves" highlighting planned Rapid Transit corridors, Higher Order Transit alignments, and the Uptown Mobility Hub
Page 8–23

Big Moves: Network Modernization

  • Building out a Frequent Transit grid will provide reliable service and better trips
  • Regional and Limited Stop services will provide faster travel options for some trips
  • Low density and rural areas may see improved service with Digital On-Demand
Map showing the proposed Frequent Transit network grid for the Victoria region
Map showing the proposed Frequent Transit network grid for the Victoria region
Page 8–23

Big Moves: Network Modernization

Current funding constraints exist with consideration to service expansion. BC Transit is exploring opportunities to use what resources we have to improve transit service while waiting for new funding.

Optimization & Efficiency Improvements

  • Reduced service duplication making service more efficient, allowing for resources to be strategically allocated.
  • Harmonized stop spacing to speed up buses and make service simpler
  • Spacing farther apart on major corridors (up to 500m instead of 300m) but remain closer through neighborhoods on basic/local routes.
Diagram titled "The Basics of Bus Stop Balancing" showing how stops are prioritized based on utilization, proximity to points of interest, and transfer points
Diagram titled "The Basics of Bus Stop Balancing" showing how stops are prioritized based on utilization, proximity to points of interest, and transfer points
Page 8–23

Big Moves: handyDART Modernization

  • handyDART facility in View Royal - Opened Spring 2025. Supporting increased fleet and service growth to meet latent demand.
  • Technology upgrades to enhance eligibility, booking and trip planning and improve service efficiency
  • Updated service standards and performance guidelines
A handyDART driver assisting a passenger in a power wheelchair onto a bus using an automated ramp
A handyDART driver assisting a passenger in a power wheelchair onto a bus using an automated ramp
Page 8–23

Big Moves: Higher-Order Rapid Transit

  • Downtown Victoria to Six Mile alignment is confirmed
  • Alignment from Six Mile to Langford to be confirmed through additional study
  • Higher-order technology will be reviewed as part of future planning work
  • Additional Rapid Transit corridors in West Shore will be considered based on final alignment of Higher Order Transit
Map detail showing confirmed and candidate alignments for Higher Order Transit between Downtown Victoria and the West Shore
Map detail showing confirmed and candidate alignments for Higher Order Transit between Downtown Victoria and the West Shore
Page 8–23

Priorities and Opportunities: Town of View Royal

  • Continued investment in transit priority measures on key corridors (Island Hwy.) to support improved service reliability and regional connections.
  • Improved accessibility at bus stops
  • Establishment of a long-term mobility hub and exchange at Six Mile.
  • Ensuring transit-supportive land-use around key corridors for Rapid and Frequent routes
A woman and small child walking across a crosswalk away from a BC Transit bus
A woman and small child walking across a crosswalk away from a BC Transit bus
Page 8–23

Next Steps

  • Presenting draft plan to all Municipalities and CRD
  • Updating key stakeholders and rightsholders for final feedback
  • Draft plan presented to Commission in July for endorsement
Page 8–23

Thank You!

Levi Megenbir, Manager, Service Planning (Victoria Regional Transit) lmegenbir@bctransit.com

For more information please visit bctransit.com/victoria

Passengers walking toward a bus waiting at a bus stop shelter with trees in the background
Passengers walking toward a bus waiting at a bus stop shelter with trees in the background
Page 8–23

Document Images

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Extracted from: 2026 05 12 Special Council Meeting - Agenda - Pdf(253 pages total)