BC Transit celebrates 10 years serving Salt Spring Island
Transit System: Salt Spring Island
19 February 2019
Salt Spring Island – The Province of British Columbia, the Capital Regional District (CRD) and BC Transit are celebrating 10 years of transit on Salt Spring Island.
“The people of Salt Spring Island asked for a local transit service just over a decade ago and since that time, the uptake has been incredible,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Claire Trevena. “I’m pleased to see Salt Spring Island show that small, rural communities can become less car-dependent and embrace green transportation options.”
Through widespread community support from the over 10,000 residents, the Salt Spring Island Transit System was officially approved in May 2007. Service started in January 2008 and continues to perform exceptionally well compared to similar systems across the province.
Based on the strong start to the transit system, Salt Spring Island won an award for Exceptional Service with Outstanding Performance from the Canadian Urban Transit Association. With two light-duty buses, the system was averaging weekday ridership of 150 customers, and weekend ridership of 140 customers.
“It has been a pleasure to both oversee and often ride on the number-one rural bus system in the province,” said Robin Williams, Chair of the Salt Spring Island Transportation Commission.
“To move an innovative idea to a new community service in spite of some naysayers took perseverance,” said Wayne McIntyre, CRD Director for Salt Spring Island. “Thanks to John Cade and Gary Holman and the support they rallied, today we have the province’s most successful rural transit service.”
The Salt Spring Island Transit System experienced remarkable growth following expansion in July 2011. Ridership went from just under 63,650 in 2010/11, to almost 82,000 in 2011/12, to over 100,000 in 2012/13. Further expansions are planned for this year and next.
In 2016/2017, the system served over 101,000 passengers, making use of 7,000 service hours and four buses. Six routes currently serve the island, including the popular route 2 Fulford Harbour, which connects passengers to BC Ferries and Ganges.
“The Salt Spring Island Transit System is a prime example of transit operating effectively and efficiently due to strong partnerships,” said Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit’s Interim Chief Executive Officer and President. “This milestone anniversary is also the perfect occasion to thank all of our Salt Spring Island customers for their ongoing support of sustainable transportation.”
To celebrate a decade of service on Salt Spring Island, the Province of British Columbia, BC Transit and the CRD thanked customers at the transit stop by the Salt Spring Tourist Information Centre. BC Transit and its partners are also honouring all the people who have made this transit system possible—a list of names is available at the bottom of this media release.
