Victoria Transit Riders Union Applauds Saanich Council Support for Free Transit for Youth Across BC
This Monday, May 13th, Saanich Council took a bold step towards enhancing accessibility and equity in transportation by endorsing a Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) resolution that asks the province to make transit free for youth. The resolution calls on the province to build on the existing Get On Board program, which currently allows children aged 12 and under to ride all BC Transit and TransLink services for free, and expand the program to young people aged 18 and under. This resolution was unanimously endorsed by Council.
“Young people are the future of this province, and it’s imperative that we invest in their mobility and well-being. By removing barriers to transportation, we are not only fostering environmental sustainability but also promoting equity and social inclusion, and helping foster life-long transit users,” said Councillor Teale Phelps Bondaroff, who spearheaded the resolution.
Ten young people spoke in favour of the motion, the youngest of whom was 11 years old. They highlighted how this change would help youth access school, recreation, social opportunities, employment, and other resources.
Five members of the Victoria Transit Riders Union (VTRU) were also present a the council meeting and spoke in favour of the motion.
VTRU member Nathan Bird said “Expanded fare-free transit is a crucial stepping stone on the path that we must take to combat climate change and environmental degradation.”
VTRU member and social worker Liz Cronin said “When given the resources they need, people take good care of themselves and others”. Cronin expressed a hope that in the future, Saanich council will move to push the province to make transit free for all people – “I hope to speak with you all again soon about free transit for everyone”.
Christina Clemente, chair of the VTRU, said that with a fare increase coming to the region, this issue is especially important. “BC Transit is telling us to choose between improved service and low fares, and we don’t think we have to make that choice”.
The resolution is now on its way to the 2024 UBCM Convention, which takes place in Vancouver from September 16th to 20th, 2024.
Another similar resolution for fare-free transit for seniors ages 65 and up was also on the agenda, and received support from many members of the public – including several youth – and the VTRU, but this resolution was delayed until the next council meeting on June 10th.
Contact:
Christina Clemente (she/her)
Chair, Victoria Transit Riders Union
christina.clemente12@gmail.com
514-621-5990
Liz Cronin (she/her)
Organizing Committee Member, Victoria Transit Riders Union
liz.cronin@alumni.ubc.ca
250-812-6889
Background:
The Victoria Transit Riders Union is a grassroots organization advocating for free and excellent transit in Greater Victoria and beyond. We believe that adequately funded public transit is cost-effective and essential both to the health of our community and to the existential fight against climate change and environmental degradation. Our growing city needs more routes connecting under-serviced neighbourhoods and rapid transit for people living outside of the downtown core to more easily access services, visit friends, and participate in community life. We fight for the right of all – regardless of age, ability or income – to travel around Victoria, and BC, in a safe and environmentally friendly way.
VTRU member Alyssa Allen speaks before council.
VTRU members outside Saanich Council Chambers before the May 13th meeting.
Copies of the relevant draft resolution and backgrounder can be found on the Saanich Council agenda here. The resolution is as follows:
Free Transit for Young People in BC
WHEREAS the Get On Board Program allows children aged 12 and under to ride all BC Transit and TransLink transit services free of charge, and this program saves families money while offering youth low-carbon transportation that helps the province and municipalities reach emissions and transportation mode share targets;
WHEREAS encouraging young people to use public transportation early in life can lead to lifelong habits of sustainable transportation use, and this in turn can have long-term benefits for cities in terms of reduced congestion, lower emissions, and increased social inclusion;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT UBCM lobby the Provincial Government expand the Get On Board program to include all youth up to the age of 18.
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Victoria Transit Riders Union 