The Victoria Regional Transit System is one of the largest transit systems in British Columbia, connecting communities across Greater Victoria.
What makes it unique? It’s governed by the Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC)—established under the BC Transit Act. The Commission makes regional decisions on service levels, fares, and local funding, while BC Transit manages and delivers service on its behalf.
The system keeps the region moving through close partnerships with local municipalities, the Capital Regional District, Indigenous Nations, the Province of British Columbia, and others. Together, we help connect residents, workers, students, and visitors to jobs, school, health care, recreation, and essential services across Greater Victoria.
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Victoria Regional Transit System governance
The Victoria Regional Transit System runs on a unique governance model set out in the BC Transit Act.
Service is delivered through a partnership between the VRTC, BC Transit, and the Province of British Columbia, in consultation with local governments, the Capital Regional District, and Indigenous Partners.
VRTC
The VRTC shapes transit in Greater Victoria by:
- Identifying regional priorities and transit needs
- Approving service levels, fares, fare policies and local funding
- Supporting long-term transit planning and future growth
- Advancing land use, transportation and infrastructure planning that supports transit
- Working with BC Transit to explore service improvements, expansions and new infrastructure
BC Transit
BC Transit plans, manages, and delivers conventional transit service on behalf of the Commission. We also provide expertise in planning, fleet, infrastructure, operations, and customer service. Custom transit (handyDART) service is operated by Transdev Canada.
Province of British Columbia
The Province supports the system through operating and capital funding, legislation, and provincial transportation policy.
Local government and Indigenous partners
The region’s 13 municipalities, the Capital Regional District and Indigenous partners help shape transit in Greater Victoria by:
- Supporting long-term transit planning and future growth
- Advancing land use, transportation and infrastructure planning that supports transit
- Working with BC Transit to explore service improvements, expansions and new infrastructure
Transit shelters and bus stop amenities are maintained by the municipality or the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, depending on who owns the road.
The BC Transit partnership model
Province of BC
Funding and strategic direction
Victoria Regional
Transit Commission
(VRTC)
Priorities
Fare setting
Investment
BC Transit
Expertise
Planning
Management
Delivery
Operations
Maintenance
Local government municipalities
Land use
Road and infrastructure management
Shelter management
Victoria Regional Transit System funding
The Victoria Regional Transit System is funded through a shared-cost model that includes passenger fares, regional fuel tax, property taxation, advertising revenue and provincial contributions.
For conventional transit, the Province of British Columbia funds approximately 31.7 per cent of operating costs. For custom transit, including handyDART, the Province contributes approximately 63 per cent.
The remaining costs are the responsibility of the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, which raises the local share through passenger fares, a regional motor fuel tax set by the Province at 5.5 cents per litre, and property taxation.
This shared approach balances local decision-making with provincial support, helping the region invest in transit services that reflect local priorities while benefiting from BC Transit’s province-wide planning, fleet management, operational expertise and purchasing power.
The Victoria transit funding partnership
Victoria Regional Transit System – legislated funding model
Established through the BC Transit Act and provincial funding agreements
Transit funding
legislated cost-sharing model
Province of BC and Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC)
Conventional Transit
(Bus, RapidBus, local)
68.3%
VRTC share
Funded through:
Property tax
Regional motor
fuel tax
Passenger fares
Advertising and other revenue
31.7%
Provincial share
Funded through:
Provincial operating contributions
Custom Transit (handyDART)
(Door-to-door service)
37%
VRTC share
Funded through:
Property tax
Regional motor
fuel tax
Passenger fares
Advertising and other revenue
63%
Provincial share
Funded through:
Provincial operating contributions
Supporting regional growth
Transit helps Greater Victoria grow, supporting new housing, a stronger economy, and progress on climate goals.
The transit system is shaped by long-term planning that identifies future service, infrastructure, and investment priorities. Improvements roll out over time through collaboration between BC Transit, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, local municipalities, the Capital Regional District, Indigenous partners, and the Province.
Investing in reliable service
Reliable transit takes ongoing investment in:
- Buses and other transit vehicles
- Bus stops and shelters
- Exchanges and service hubs
- Transit-priority measures, like bus lanes and signal priority
- Operations and maintenance facilities
- Customer information and technology systems
These investments keep transit safe, accessible, and dependable for everyone across the region.