The Victoria Transit Riders Union applauds delegates at the BC NDP Convention for voting to endorse two resolutions that call, respectively, for fare-free transit for youth and seniors, and for dramatic improvements to transit in BC, including de-privatization and a shift to universal fare-free transit.
On Saturday, delegates at the ongoing BC NDP convention in Victoria passed two resolutions supporting transit in the province. The first resolution calls for the expansion of fare-free public transit to all BC youth aged 19 and under and seniors aged 60 and older. The second resolution calls for investments in high-quality public transit systems, de-privatizing parts of the system currently run by private companies, shifting to fare-free transit starting with youth 18 and under, implementing an intercommunity bus system, and expediting work on the UBC SkyTrain Extension.
The first resolution was submitted by Vancouver-Langara, and the second was a composite resolution submitted by the BC Federation of Labour, BC Young New Democrats, CUPE BC, Esquimalt-Colwood, and Vancouver-Point Grey.
“It’s fantastic to see NDP delegates coming out strong in support of these critically needed changes to transit”, said Liz Cronin, Interim Chair of the Victoria Transit Riders Union. “Seniors and youth especially need relief in the midst of this affordability crisis – providing them with free access to improved transit will permit them to reach family, recreation, employment, food, and everything they need to care for themselves and others.”
“As a social worker, I’m very excited about how robustly-funded, truly public, interconnected, and fare-free transit will transform the province”, said Cronin. “No part of this system should ever have been privatized and we’re pleased that the delegates are demanding de-privatization.”
“Taking climate change seriously means heavily investing in public transit – expanding and improving it, and making it more accessible”, said Victoria Transit Riders Union member Nathan Bird. “Electric cars are a luxury, not a solution. We call on the people of BC to stand up and demand that these resolutions translate into urgent action.”
“Increasing access to transit for young people allows them to access education, jobs, extracurricular activities, and social opportunities more easily. Free transit for youth helps cultivate a generation of transit riders, which will increase affordability, lower emissions, and reduce congestion,” said District of Saanich Councillor and BC NDP Convention Delegate (Victoria-Swan Lake), Teale Phelps Bondaroff. “Beyond affordability, free transit for seniors promotes social inclusion and fosters connections within our communities. By breaking down transportation barriers, we empower seniors to maintain active social lives, attend gatherings, and stay connected with loved ones, thereby enhancing their overall mental and physical well-being.”
During last year’s electoral race, the BC NDP campaigned on providing free transit for seniors during off-peak hours. Additionally, in 2024, the Union of BC Municipalities asked the BC government to expand the province-wide Get On Board! fare-free transit program to include youth up to grade 12 instead of the current age 12, and provide permanent sustainable funding to do so (resolution NEB10 in the UBCM 2024 Resolution Disposition). The NDP have yet to act on either of these fronts.
Resolutions
B.7: EXPANDING FREE PUBLIC TRANSIT TO TEENAGERS AND SENIORS (VANCOUVER-LANGARA)
BECAUSE public transit reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps alleviate traffic congestion on our roads; and
BECAUSE the BC NDP government has already made transit free for children 12 and under, easing costs for families and encouraging early transit use; and
BECAUSE teenagers still face the cost of transit, which can be a barrier to mobility, education, and extracurricular opportunities; and
BECAUSE eliminating transit fares for teens and seniors would encourage greater ridership, reduce financial pressure on families, and support climate goals; and
BECAUSE young people who regularly use public transit are more likely to continue doing so into adulthood, helping build a culture of sustainable transportation; and
BECAUSE seniors who regularly use public transit are more likely to have better social and community connections leading to healthier outcomes;
THE BC NDP WILL urge the provincial government to expand free public transit to all youth aged 19 and under and seniors aged 60 and above across British Columbia.
B.12: COMPREHENSIVE AND AFFORDABLE TRANSIT IN BC (COMPOSITE) BC FEDERATION OF LABOUR; BC YND; CUPE BC; ESQUIMALT-COLWOOD, VANCOUVER-POINT GREY
THE BC NDP WILL call on the provincial government to continue to invest in high-quality public transportation systems to serve communities across BC; and
THE BC NDP WILL call on the provincial government to invest in and build a unified, provincially owned and operated public transportation system across BC, starting with the following priority areas:
- rolling back privatization within BC Transit and TransLink;
- shifting to fare-free transit, starting with immediately extending the Get on Board program to provide free transit for all youth 18 and under;
- implementing an intercommunity bus system;
- expedite work on the business case for the UBC SkyTrain Extension, committing to a comprehensive timeline for planning and delivery and releasing a combined funding agreement between the provincial and federal governments, together with local partners.
Victoria Transit Riders Union 