The University of Victoria and Camosun College student societies, along with bus drivers this week once again pushed B.C. Transit and politicians to improve bus service.
“Bus pass-ups in Greater Victoria are getting worse every year,” said Rachel Barr, UVSS director of external relations.
The student societies and the local bus drivers’ union (Unifor 333) make up the Make Transit Work Campaign.
Through the campaign they released three new videos outlining the problems and proposed solutions. The videos featured frustrated students, municipal and provincial politicians, B.C. Transit employees, and other stakeholders who all acknowledge the failings of the current transit system.
Make Transit Work argues bus-only lanes along McKenzie Avenue and Douglas Street and minor increases to gas and property taxes will result in major improvements.
The Make Transit Work push came as B.C. Transit presented its 2014 budget to the Greater Victoria Transit Commission.
“The Transit Commission has the ability to end bus pass-ups,” said Simka Marshall, with the CCSS. “Commission members have access to levers of power that students, community riders and bus drivers don’t. The provincial government will listen to the mayors who sit on the Transit Commission when they come knocking. They need to make better use of that influence.”
To watch the videos or to learn more about the campaign, visit maketransitwork.com.
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