WHISTLER – BC Transit is venturing into new and innovative ways
to raise revenue that will support improved transit services without putting
added pressure on taxpayers.
The first ever venture will take place in Whistler where Pacific Coach Lines
(PCL) has signed a one-year lease to rent secured parking space on the grounds
of the Whistler Transit Centre.
BC Transit and the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) worked in close partnership
to develop a business case for rental of these facilities and ensure the best
possible use of a public investment without infringing on the private sector.
After extensive consultation and analysis, it was determined the Whistler Transit
Centre is the only local facility available that offers secured and covered
parking for large passenger vehicles with the added protection of around-the-clock
video surveillance.
The recent report of the independent review panel of BC Transit concluded that
new sources of commercial revenue should be explored to offset the burden on
taxpayers so that transit fares remain affordable and will attract new ridership.
“This is an initial first step but there is tremendous potential to expand
opportunities across the province,” said Transportation and Infrastructure
Minister Mary Polak. “Whistler provides a great example of how communities,
local government and business can partner with BC Transit and everybody benefits.”
“The eyes of the world were on Whistler during the 2010 Olympic games
and saw how this community adopted leading edge transit technology with the
introduction of zero emission fuel cell buses,” said West Vancouver-Sea
to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre. “Once again Whistler is at the forefront by showing
how a community can benefit from generating additional revenues and reduce reliance
on property taxes and transit fares as traditional sources of funding for transit.”
The Whistler Transit Centre opened in January 2010 in preparation for the Winter
Olympics. It was designed to accommodate transit growth over 40 years. In the
meantime, there are 23 buses in the Whistler Transit fleet and space to accommodate
50 buses at the secured parking facility.
Whistler city council rezoned to the property to allow for commercial activity
in early October.
“In challenging fiscal times, we are always looking for ways of generating
revenue and this collaboration will generate revenue to offset the burden of
local transit costs on Whistler’s taxpayers,” said Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden.
“We believe co-operation between public and private entities to be the
future for British Columbia and are further supported by the vision that RMOW
has set forth for Whistler as a ‘sustainable, low footprint’ community,”
said Dennis Shikaze CA, President, Pacific Coach Lines.
Pacific Coach has operated the transportation link between Vancouver and Victoria
for more than 50 years; complimented by attaining the YVR Airport to Whistler
Village scheduled transportation route in October 2007.
“BC Transit and the RMOW are committed to working together to find innovative
and creative solutions to funding transit,” said Manuel Achadinha, President
and CEO of BC Transit. “We believe this is the first of many commercial
ventures to come as we strive to make transit as cost-effective as possible
for the 130 communities we serve.”
Media Contact:
Meribeth Burton
Corporate Spokesperson | BC Transit
d: 250.995.5720
meribeth_burton@bctransit.com
