CRD Approves Motion for Free Transit for Youth Aged 13-18

BREAKING: The Capital Regional District (CRD) transportation committee has just approved a crucial motion to explore free transit for youth aged 13-18 across the region. This significant step aims to extend the existing programs that have already benefited younger riders in Victoria since 2019 and the entire cohort aged 12 and under since 2021.

This motion comes in response to growing concerns about transportation accessibility for teenagers in areas like West Shore, where many face financial barriers to getting to school. CRD director and Victoria councillor Jeremy Caradonna highlighted a poignant case involving a low-income family struggling to afford daily bus fares for their three teenage children. “They literally cannot afford daily bus fare, which adds up very quickly,” Caradonna remarked, emphasizing the urgency of this issue.

If approved by the CRD board, staff will conduct a thorough analysis of the potential costs, benefits, and implications of implementing free transit for this age group. With approximately 70% of youth in Victoria utilizing the existing free bus pass, local leaders see the potential for a similar uptake across the CRD.

However, the motion was met with some reservations from mayors of Sooke and Colwood. Maja Tait, Sooke’s mayor, pointed out the limited transit options in her area, stating, “It’s one thing to say to young people, we have a free bus pass, but guess what? There’s no bus.” Similarly, Doug Kobayashi, Colwood’s mayor, questioned why the initiative focuses solely on youth, advocating for broader access that includes seniors.

While these concerns were voiced, Scott Goodmanson, Langford’s mayor, suggested that encouraging more youth to utilize public transit could lead to increased service frequency. “This is a possibility to show them the need is there,” he said, urging BC Transit to respond to the demand for better service across the CRD.

The CRD board is set to review the findings and recommendations in the coming months, with hopes that this initiative will not only ease the financial burden on families but also enhance public transit accessibility for all residents.

Stay tuned for updates as this vital initiative develops!