BC TRANSIT FUTURE PROJECT ENGAGEMENTS

BC TRANSIT FUTURE PROJECT ENGAGEMENTS

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report titled “BC Transit Future Project Engagements” by the Director of Engineering be received for information.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to respond to item C-161-24 from the December 10, 2024 regular Council meeting:

THAT staff report back to Council on community engagement initiatives that BC Transit could undertake for future projects within View Royal.

BACKGROUND:

The driver for improved engagement from BC Transit originated from BC Transit’s Rapid Transit Priority Bus Lane project, whereby the Town required BC Transit to improve its management of expectations to Town residents regarding construction impacts.

Staff discussed with BC Transit strategies that BC Transit and the Town could undertake for future projects within View Royal. Both Town staff and BC Transit agreed that the common theme behind a more positive engagement experience is to engage earlier and more often than previously done.

Engage Earlier

BC Transit is committed to consulting the Town earlier to obtain the Town’s preliminary comments, concerns and opportunities on how the Town wishes to be engaged. BC Transit projects can range significantly in scope, scale and budgets, and it was agreed that Town feedback should be invited earlier in projects to help the scoping and scheduling of engagement opportunities.

Town staff can enhance existing processes with BC Transit to achieve earlier engagement. Strategies include but are not limited to:

• Meeting(s) with BC Transit at the start of each year to discuss and confirm projects taking place within the next five years. Engagement planning will be a standing item at these meetings;
• As a result of the early year meetings, BC Transit presentations to Council will be given serious consideration for projects, especially projects that impact the Town. The purpose of these presentations is to inform Council of projects within the early stages of planning / designing, and to consult Council, with staff support, on how the Town wishes to be engaged;
• Staff will continue to inform Council of media releases regarding Transit projects that may impact the Town. Staff will endeavor to provide such information as soon as possible in case Council wishes to discuss Transit related projects.

Engage More Often

BC Transit is committed to engaging more often with the Town to ensure that BC Transit reflects and provides feedback to Town commentary in accordance with IAP2 values.

Town staff can enhance existing processes with BC Transit to achieve regular engagement. Strategies include but are not limited to:

• Standing agenda item on engagement activities (both being planned and in progress) during staff’s quarterly meetings with BC Transit;
• Through the regular meetings with BC Transit, staff will request BC Transit to elevate project updates to Council, from time to time, for projects that may impact the Town and to provide updates on what Transit has heard from its engagement events.

CURRENT AND FUTURE ENGAGEMENTS

Current Engagements

Staff have already put the above noted strategies into action. For example:

• In late December 2024, staff and Mayor Tobias met with senior BC Transit and Ministry of Transportation and Transit (“MoTT”) staff to discuss improvements to the engagement process, especially with respect to the upcoming Hwy 1 Bus on Shoulders Project. Enhanced engagement as a result of the discussions include:
  • A dedicated point of contact from the project team to address resident inquiries and concerns;
  • Confirmed mailout notifications to residents within the vicinity of the project for events such as blasting and construction in the area;
  • A dedicated project website with clear instructions on how residents can contact the project team;
  • Regular updates posted onto the project website.
  • Staff regularly check in with project staff to ensure expectations are being managed.
• Staff have kept Council apprised of BC Transit commencing its Victoria Regional Transit (“VRTP”) update. This project will provide a much needed update to BC Transit’s 2011 Victoria Regional Transit Future Plan.

Future Engagements

Utilizing the values of “engaging early and often”, Council can look forward to the following updates from Transit soon:

• VRTP Project Update: BC Transit acknowledged a need to fulsomely engage the West Shore to ensure that the plan places more emphasis on this region than the previous plan – as a result, BC Transit will be presenting to Council early to provide more background on the project and to consult with the Town on ways it can be effectively engaged. BC Transit’s presentation is scheduled for late spring this year;
• Route 40 Implementation Update: Should BC Transit obtain the required funding to service this route, the Town will be further involved in the route planning process. Staff will ensure that a presentation be provided to Council at that time.

Through regular engagement with BC Transit, staff will continue to advocate for Council to be informed and consulted on transit initiatives as new projects arise and existing projects progress.

ANALYSIS:

Impacts and implications can be summarized as follows:

ALIGNMENT:

The recommended option aligns with the Town’s following core guiding documents as follows:

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GOAL:

The desired level of public participation for the recommended option is:

☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower ☐ N/A

TIME CRITICAL:

This report is not time critical.