Travelling Into the Future

Photo courtesy of BC Transit

By Doreen Marion Gee

Victoria has a new vision for moving people around on public transit. The Victoria Regional Rapid Transit Project (VRRTP) is developing transit options that will provide safe, reliable and green alternatives to car travel in the Capital Region. This is the wave of the future that will put Victoria on the map as a frontrunner in comfortable, fast public transit with a very small carbon footprint.

The new transit project is the vision of three organizations: The BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Capital Regional District and BC Transit. Rapid Transit is a unique form of travel that provides frequent high-capacity service that runs every day, all day. It is specifically designed to improve speed and reliability along an exclusive right-of-way. Proponents of Rapid Transit maintain that our region is long overdue for a high-tech system that can handle our increasingly high transit demand. It is meant to complement our present bus systems and commuter rail.

Rapid Transit technologies being considered for the Capital Region are an Express / Rapid Bus, Modern Streetcar, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Light Rapid Transit (LRT). No decision has been made on which option will get the green light, but all transit alignments being considered will be capable of incorporating any of these technologies. With the new "Clean Sheet" approach, the priority is getting people to where they want to go. The actual vehicle design follows.   

With a heavy increase in traffic from the West Shore to Victoria in recent years, transit planners have sought new ways to transport people into our city. In early 2008, the proposed Douglas Street Busway Plan - with dedicated bus lanes - was rejected by the public. A more integrated and comprehensive regional transportation strategy was clearly needed. The release of the Provincial Transit Plan provided a framework for better conceived and more thorough transportation options - thus, the VRRTP was born. Amongst its guiding principles are the desire for environmentally responsible low-impact transit, an attractive alternative to the single automobile, sustainability and affordability. 

In October 2010, Las Vegas loaned BC Transit their Wright StreetCar Rapid Transit Vehicle Hybrid  to show Victorians what the future looks like. The super-bus can hold up to 104 passengers. It boasts three doors, two wheelchair positions and two interior bike racks. Best of all, it uses low levels of fuel. 

BC Transit and government planners have proceeded to the Detailed Design and Technology Evaluation stage of the project, which will lead to a business case for approval and implementation. There has been a lot of community consultation at all stages of this project and this public involvement will continue into 2011.  Feedback from citizens will be considered in the final decisions about Rapid Transit for Victoria and the Capital Region. Please stay tuned at , where contact information is also provided.

It is time that Victoria joined its counterpart across the strait in bringing public transit into a future of chic, comfortable and green public travel.