The Victoria Regional Transit System is governed by the Victoria Regional Transit Commission (the Commission). It consists of a minimum of seven members (five locally elected mayors and two councillors) who are appointed according to the British Columbia Transit Act.
The Commission sets routes, service levels, fares and local taxes for transit purposes. It reviews and is responsible for raising the local share of the annual cost of transit in the region. Funding regulations for the Victoria Regional Transit System are described in the British Columbia Transit Regulation and the Motor Fuel Tax Act, and shown in the graphs below.
Funding for the Victoria Regional Transit System
Victoria Regional Transit System – Legislated Funding Formula
The Commission’s contribution to the Victoria Regional Transit System is funded through revenue, property taxes and fuel tax. The Commission determines fares and property taxes, including the ratio between business and residential property tax. The Commission uses revenue collected from the transit system (fares, advertising, etc.) and fuel tax to reduce the level of property tax required. Fuel Tax revenues are set by the Province and legislated through the Motor Fuel Tax Act.
Victoria Regional Transit System Service and Taxation Area
The BC Transit Tax Levy applies within the Victoria Regional Transit System and is based on property classifications assigned by BC Assessment, with the levy applied and collected by the Ministry of Finance for provincially taxed areas and by local governments for municipal areas.
Jurisdictions Receiving the BC Transit Tax Levy
Municipal Jurisdictions
- City of Colwood — Jurisdiction 213
- City of Victoria — Jurisdiction 234
- District of Central Saanich — Jurisdiction 302
- District of Esquimalt — Jurisdiction 307
- District of Saanich (SD 61) — Jurisdiction 308
- District of Saanich (SD 63) — Jurisdiction 309
- District of Oak Bay — Jurisdiction 317
- District of Langford — Jurisdiction 327
- District of North Saanich — Jurisdiction 332
- District of Metchosin — Jurisdiction 344
- District of Sooke — Jurisdiction 349
- District of Highlands (SD 61) — Jurisdiction 361
- District of Highlands (SD 62) — Jurisdiction 362
- District of Highlands (SD 63) — Jurisdiction 363
- District of Saanich (SD 62) — Jurisdiction 389
- Town of View Royal (SD 61) — Jurisdiction 401
- Town of View Royal (SD 62) — Jurisdiction 402
- Town of Sidney — Jurisdiction 476
Rural Jurisdictions (Provincially Taxed)
- Victoria Rural – Electoral Area H — Jurisdiction 761
- Victoria Rural – Electoral Area H — Jurisdiction 762
- Gulf Islands Rural (Willis Point) – Electoral Area G / H — Jurisdiction 763