TRANSPORTATION

Transportation includes the ability to get around and transport people and goods. The capacity and convenience of transportation, such as our transit and road systems, have a big impact on quality of life.

Facilitating Action and Connection

Transportation

Facilitating Action and Connection

Transportation is key to community support. Hulitan Family and Community Services Society received a Victoria Foundation grant for the purchase of a van. Hulitan’s transportation services cover from Port Renfrew to the Saanich Peninsula, both on and off reserve. For communities like Tseycum First Nation, where not many people drive, providing safe and reliable transportation, including car seats, is vital.

“We are opening a trauma-informed, Indigenous-specific childcare centre, the first of its kind, fully funded through the Aboriginal Headstart program. This center will offer wraparound services for families, including a family support worker, a therapist, an elder cultural coordinator, and a nutrition component,” explains Kendra Gage, Executive Director of Hulitan Family and Community Services Society. “The ability to provide transportation is crucial, enabling us to pick up children for the ’Journeys to the Heart’ program, take them on field trips, and help families to access the food bank and other essential services.”

The van means more than simply transportation. It also “ensures safety, reliability, and a welcoming environment, addressing the complex issues families face.”

Vital signs citizen survey grade

C+

Last year's grade was C+

Transportation

Vital signs citizen survey grade

C+
Sustainable Development Targets

Sustainable Development Targets

HOUSEHOLD TRAVEL CHARACTERISTICS 

The CRD Origin-Destination Household Travel Survey profiles residents’ 24-hour travel patterns on a typical fall weekday. Conducted every 5+ years, the 2022 survey reported significant reductions in total trips and average trip rates and shifts in trip purpose and travel mode from 2017, reflecting the pandemic’s lingering effects.

Trip volumes

0%

drop in daily trip volumes from 2017 to 2022.

0%

reduction in average daily trips per person from 2017 to 2022.

Trip purpose

In 2022, 59% of daily trips were to destinations outside the home and 41% were return-home trips. The top purposes for trips to a destination:

20% Commuting to work and school
17% shopping, household maintenance, and personal business
14% recreational, restaurant dining, and social activities

Travel mode share in 2022

69%of daily trips were made by auto. Of these, 54% were made as the driver, with almost three-quarters made by the driver travelling alone and another 15% with one or more passengers.

6%of trips were made by transit.

25%of trips were made by active transportation modes, with 15% made on foot, 8% by bicycle and micromobility, and 2% other.

Mobility options in 2022

89%of households had access to at least one vehicle, with a household average of 1.6 vehicles.

66%of households had at least one adult bicycle or e-bike and 70% of households with children had at least one child-sized bicycle.

SOURCE: CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TARGETS

11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all 

TRANSIT USE
0%

of residents in Greater Victoria used local transit in 2023/24.

18% of residents had used local transit in the past 24 hours, while 40% used it more than a month ago.

In 2023/24, Greater Victoria residents made an average of 4 one-way trips per week, more than the average across BC respondents (2.9).

0% 0% 0% 0%
Occasional riders 39%
Heavy riders 14%
Medium riders 11%
Light riders 7%

Greater Victoria transit riders' use of transit in 2023/24 compared to a year ago

more often
22%
less often
32%
about the same
45%

Greater Victoria riders who use transit more often are increasing usage due to: 

convenience
70%
affordability
57%
environmental reasons
42%

Greater Victoria residents' transit uses in 2023/24

0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
commute to work 24%
entertainment or social reasons 21%
personal business 17%
shopping 15%
going to the ferry terminal or airport 12%


The main reasons non-riders do not use transit are preferring to drive (60%), bus taking too long to arrive at destination (55%), and preferring to cycle or walk (49%).

Note: In 2023/24, BC Transit used a different research provider with a different methodology, preventing direct comparisons with data from previous years. Total percentages may not add up to 100% for select items.

SOURCE: BC TRANSIT

A MESSAGE FROM BC TRANSIT

Public transit continues to play a vital role in addressing the challenges our communities face today. We’re making it easier for people to take the bus with the recent introduction of Umo, which is now live in 30 communities across the province. Choose the best payment method for you by either using the Umo app or a reloadable Umo card. Contactless payment using a credit or debit card is the next phase of the project. Our path toward a fully electric fleet by 2040 continues with the announcement of sixty-six electric buses on order. Transit can also get you there faster! We recently completed engagement on the future plans for 96 Blink RapidBus, the McKenzie line that will be added to the 95 Blink RapidBus Victoria to Westshore line already in service. 

For more information on the Victoria Regional Transit System, visit bctransit.com/Victoria.