For the thoughtful and inclusive launch of a new transit system and a dynamic campaign to celebrate the development of a sustainable transit facility, BC Transit has been recognized with two prestigious awards by the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA).
“The national recognition BC Transit has received for two of its recent achievements highlights how putting people first is always the best approach,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit. “Congratulations to BC Transit and all staff involved in the successful rollout of these significant projects.”
For more than 100 years, CUTA has been Canada’s national voice for public transit and urban mobility. Their organization connects public transit agencies across the country, advocates for investment and support from governments, and is the leading transportation data collection body in the field. CUTA Awards are handed out as part of their Annual Conference and Transit Show, this year held in Montreal.
“At BC Transit we pride ourselves on developing projects and initiatives that consider potential environmental impacts and the diverse needs of the communities we serve,” said Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit President and Chief Executive Officer. “The West Coast Transit System and View Royal handyDART Centre are both shining examples of work that required significant commitment and partnerships, and we are honoured by this recognition.”
This year, awards were presented to seven individuals and 11 organizations, of which BC Transit was presented with two honours.
West Coast Transit System – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
In March 2025, BC Transit and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) launched the current West Coast Transit System, connecting residents and visitors of Tofino, Ucluelet, Long Beach, the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ community of hitaću, and the Tla-o-qui-aht communities of Esowista and Ty-histanis. The signs at all 36 stops in the West Coast Transit System include Nuu-chah-nulth language; the first time BC Transit signs have included Indigenous language. BC Transit and the ACRD worked closely with members of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation to identify service levels, locate bus stops, and to add Nuu-chah-nulth language onto bus stop signs. This honour was awarded to BC Transit, the ACRD and Watt Consulting.
View Royal handyDART Centre – Marketing and Communications
handyDART is an accessible, door-to-door shared transit service for people with permanent or temporary disabilities that prevents them from using fixed-route transit without assistance from another person. In 2019, the Province of BC provided an 8-acre property to BC Transit to construct a new handyDART Operations and Maintenance Centre. The project faced strong public resistance at the outset, so building trust and relationships was a key driver and objective of the community engagement, communications and project planning approach.
Robust collaboration and partnerships became fundamental and public communications relied heavily on place-based and collaborative engagement methods, proactive plain language and visual materials, and on-going reporting about how the project was responding to community interests and priorities. After extensive consultation to inform planning and design, construction commenced in early 2022 and the centre opened this spring at a community celebration with many community members who helped shape the project.
Quick Facts:
- BC Transit provides roughly 57 million annual rider trips in over 130 communities across the province, in partnership with local governments.
- The Crown Corporation has a fleet of more than 1,100 buses, ranging from double deckers down to light duty community buses.
- There are more than 2,700 employees combined working for BC Transit and our operating companies across B.C.
For routes, schedules and other information about the West Coast Transit System, go to: bctransit.com/west-coast/.
For more information on the View Royal handyDART Project, visit: bctransit.com/victoria/transit-future/corporate-infrastructure-initiatives/hfp/.
To learn more about the Canadian Urban Transit Association and their annual CUTA Awards, go to: https://cutaactu.ca/.
Media contact BC Transit Communications
media@bctransit.com
