An education and enforcement campaign about appropriate use of the Douglas Street bus and bike priority lanes for buses and cyclists begins today. The campaign is a partnership between BC Transit, the Victoria Police Department, and the City of Victoria to remind drivers of the rules in the bus and bike priority lanes.
“Drivers are responsible for knowing and obeying the rules of the road, and this campaign will help inform drivers of the correct usage of the priority curb lanes,” said Victoria Police Department’s Acting Chief Del Manak. “We wanted to start off with an education campaign, and then follow up with dedicated enforcement for the priority curb lanes to help our citizens build knowledge of the laws.”
Beginning today, to November 4, the Victoria Police Department will be patrolling the Douglas Street bus and bike priority lanes to provide educational information about lanes and a free bus ticket. As part of the campaign, From November 7 to 10 the police will be patrolling and ticketing people in private vehicles in violation of the bus and bike priority lane regulations. The fine for being in a priority bus and bike lanes is $109.
“The Commission continues to support bus and bike priority lanes, and that includes supporting appropriate use of the lanes,” said Susan Brice, Victoria Regional Transit Commission Chair. “These bus priority lanes play an important role in creating an efficient and reliable transit system for our customers and the region as a whole.”
“The bus and bike priority lanes are designed to reduce transit travel times and make commutes quicker,” said Manuel Achadinha, BC Transit Chief Executive Officer and President. “We ask that people please respect the use of these lanes.”
The bus and bike priority lanes are meant for buses, including BC Transit and private tour companies, and cyclists. Motorists are allowed to enter the bus and bicycle only lane if making a right hand turn within the current block. Currently, bus and bike priority lanes operate weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. southbound from Hillside to Fisgard and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. northbound from Fisgard to Tolmie. In spring 2017, these lanes will become designated for transit and cyclist use only, 24 hours a day. More information on that change will be available in the future.
For more information on bus and bike priority lane rules, please visit the City of Victoria’s Douglas Street Priority Transit and Cycling Lane web page.
For information on the current expansion of the bus and bike priority lanes, please visit the
BC Transit Victoria Rapid Transit.
Media Contacts
BC Transit
Jonathon Dyck
Communications Manager
250-995-5720
media@bctransit.com
Victoria Police Department
Matthew Rutherford
Public Affairs
250-995-7294
engagement@vicpd.ca
