Blink RapidBus Westshore Line — BC Transit Update (Presentation)

Presentation Overview

Objectives:

• Provide an overview of BC Transit and an update on implementation and planning activities to advance the RapidBus Implementation Strategy

Overview:

• Overview
• BC Transit Initiatives
• RapidBus Initiatives
• Next Steps

Victoria Regional Transit System Overview

Conventional Transit

• Fixed routes and schedules
  • 57 transit routes
• 22.4 million boardings in 2022/23
• Range of vehicles, services:
  • Double Deckers
  • 30’ 35’ 40’ vehicles
  • Community shuttles

Custom Transit (handyDART)

• Door to door, demand responsive
• Eligible people with a disability
• Operated by First Canada ULC
• Supported by taxi programs

System Operates Through Partnership: BC Transit’s Model

Victoria Regional Transit Commission

• Plans community, establishes transit priorities and routes
• Sets service levels and approves budgets
• Set fares
• Provide local tax subsidy

BC Transit

• Turns VRTC priorities into transit operating and capital plans
• Works with Province to access funding
• Operates Victoria conventional service
  • Custom Transit operated via contracted service provider
• Manages capital program

Background: Victoria Regional Transit Commission

• Established under the British Columbia Transit Act
  • Local government representation for transit services in the CRD
• Eight elected local government officials are appointed by the Province
• Chair is designated by the Minister responsible for BC Transit
• Appointment process, composition and term described in the Act
• Staff, resources and contracted services provided by BC Transit

Local Government Collaboration

• Bus stops and shelters
• Collaboration on infrastructure for multi modal transportation (municipalities responsible for roads)
• Local planning initiatives (OCP etc.)
• Development Referrals
• Stakeholder engagement
• Collaboration with MOTI on Highways infrastructure
• Collaboration with CRD on regional growth strategies, regional parks and trails

Electronic Fare Collection System (Umo)

• BC Transit’s new fare collection technology
  • Replacing end-of-life and costly fare technology
  • Better meets the expectations of riders
• Reduces barriers to fare payment and transit access

Primary customer-facing components:

• Mobile app

• Reloadable fare card

• Onboard fare validator

• Dedicated customer call centre

• Future ability to enable onboard credit and debit card tap payments

• Increased and improved data to inform recommendations

• Now launched in the Victoria Regional Transit System!

• Fare review now underway

Low Carbon Fleet Program

Victoria Regional Transit System Deployment

• Battery Electric Demonstration (BEB) bus now in service
• 10 BEBs coming to the VRTS
• New electric bus and charging infrastructure projects in development
• Joint funding announced in July 2023 for $395.5 million for up to 115 BEBs and 134 charging points

Transit Future Network

BC Transit developed a 25-year transit plan for the region, which included development of the Transit Future Network.

The Transit Future Network uses four layers of transit service:

• Rapid Transit
• Frequent Transit
• Local Transit
• Targeted Services

RapidBus

CONNECTED, FREQUENT, FAST AND RELIABLE

• RapidBus is a bus delivered rapid transit service designed to connect and support designated urban centres of high density, mixed-use areas of the region
• Features include branded services, corridor treatments, unique stations, limited stops and high frequencies

RapidBus Implementation Strategy

• Endorsed by the Victoria Regional Transit Commission in 2021.
• The RapidBus Implementation Strategy identifies three top priority RapidBus lines separated into two phases:

Phase 1

• West Shore RapidBus Line
  • Island Highway Transit Priority Improvements
  • RapidBus Station Study
  • Downtown Victoria Visioning

Phase 2

• McKenzie RapidBus Line
  • Corridor Study
• Peninsula RapidBus Line
  • RapidBus stations
  • Transit hub study (Sidney)

West Shore RapidBus Line Launch

• The flagship Blink West Shore RapidBus Line was launched in April 2023.
• Introduced the new Route 95 Langford/ Downtown
• Route 95 replaced Route 50, operating along the same route, but with added service and fewer bus stops
• 7-8 minute frequency at peak periods on weekdays
• Minimum of 15 minute service from 7am-10pm Monday to Saturday and 8am-10pm Sunday

Island Highway – Westshore RapidBus Improvements

Island Highway Priority Project

• Supports the Westshore Rapid Bus Strategy.
• Transit priority improvements for Island Highway between Highway 1 in the Town of View Royal and Wale Road in the City of Colwood.
• ICIP application for $14.9M budget and the local share is funded by the VRTC.
• If the application is successful next step would be project construction tendering.
• Construction 2024 and in-service in 2025.

Westshore RapidBus - Proposed Stations

There are 8 sets of stations being planned in the City of Langford.

Westshore RapidBus Station Planning

• Developed preliminary designs and cost estimates for the RapidBus Stations along the Westshore Line.
  • Concepts includes shelters, sidewalk improvements, bus bays, ancillary improvements

Westshore RapidBus Projects – Next Steps

Overview of process and timing

• RapidBus Stations
• Island Hwy Transit Priority

Questions?

Chelsea Mossey – Senior Manager, Government Relations
CMossey@bctransit.com

James Wadsworth – Manager, Infrastructure Planning
JWadsworth@bctransit.com