During this common period of reflection, BC Transit is celebrating several major milestones and accomplishments that are all directly related to improving reliability and service for customers. Below is a list of some of the biggest developments that impacted BC Transit service throughout the province in 2025 and beyond.
West Cost Transit System launches
A new BC Transit service 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 launched on March 1. The West Coast Transit System replaced the existing temporary service operated by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD). The signs at all 36 stops in the West Coast Transit System include Nuu-chah-nulth language, the first time BC Transit signs include Indigenous language. The close work and collaboration of BC Transit and the ACRD with the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation was acknowledged by the Canadian Urban Transit Association with a CUTA Award at their annual conference in early November.
Arrival of electric buses and other fleet improvements
Fifteen electric buses entered service in Victoria this year. They are part of our current heavy duty electric bus order with manufacturing companies New Flyer and Nova Bus. Next year, approximately 60 heavy duty electric buses will start being integrated into the fleet in locations across the province, including Kelowna, Kamloops, Whistler, Nanaimo, Nelson, Powell River, and Sunshine Coast. Approximately 139 light duty buses and 22 heavy duty Compressed Natural Gas buses have also been delivered to various transit systems in 2025, providing more service reliability for our customers.
OnDemand anniversary and expansion
In April, BC Transit and the City of Kelowna celebrated one full year of OnDemand service in the Crawford neighbourhood, where it has earned strong customer ratings. Ridership doubled as more residents took advantage of the service that fits their schedules – saving time and making travel easier and more convenient. The agreement with service provider Via was extended in October, and BC Transit recently announced the future expansion of the existing service area to also include the Lower Mission area. BC Transit looks forward to introducing OnDemand to more transit systems in the New Year!
A big year for BusReady and GradPASS
Educating and connecting with the next generation of transit riders is important. The bus tours and interactive classroom presentations carried out by BC Transit’s BusReady program create a positive and engaging experience for young students and teach them how to ride public transit confidently and safely. During the 2024/2025 school year in BC, we visited over 300 classrooms and reached more than 7,200 children with our public transit education program. And this year, GradPASS celebrated its 35th year of providing Grade 12 students from participating schools with free transit for any two days during grad season. This year more than 25,000 total GradPASSes were sent to 189 schools in 79 communities to support safe celebrations.
New transit facilities open in Victoria
The View Royal handyDART Centre opened in late March, allowing for future handyDART service expansion in the region, while also supporting the transition to a low-carbon battery electric bus fleet. The project garnered significant recognition and awards for sustainability and public engagement, including Salmon Safe Certification by the Fraser Basin Council, and a CUTA Award at their annual conference in early November. BC Transit also opened a new Provincial Distribution Centre in Colwood in April. The nearly 30,000-square-foot warehouse will help manage the current and expected increase in space needed to support an expanded province-wide fleet. It will also ensure that enough parts are in storage to help mitigate potential supply chain issues.
Nelson gets new transit exchange
New Transit Exchanges provide amenities for customers and Transit Operators, create stronger connection points between key areas, and increase service capacity for future growth. The new Victoria Street Exchange in Nelson opened in September, facilitating more frequent and regularly scheduled routes that better connect the West Kootenay region to Nelson’s downtown.
RapidBus continues to expand in the Victoria Region
On southern Vancouver Island milestones were reached and ongoing investments were made to the expanding RapidBus network and the infrastructure that supports fast, reliable transit in the Victoria region. This year, the newest segment of on-street infrastructure was completed along the Island Highway in View Royal as dedicated transit and queue jump lanes were installed and new bus stops and shelters are now in service. Investments from the Province of BC to speed up Route 95 Blink RapidBus service between downtown Victoria and the West Shore got underway with the start of construction on dedicated transit lanes along Highway 1, including an expansion of the Colquitz Bridge. Route 95, the Victoria Regional Transit System’s busiest route, records more than 11,000 daily boardings, with passengers experiencing travel time reductions of up to 20 minutes resulting from transit-priority enhancements.
BC Bus Pass integrates with Umo
Beginning in September, riders travelling with a BC Bus Pass throughout the province could validate their pass through Umo digital validators. The BC Bus Pass is subsidized by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction for people receiving disability assistance and low-income seniors. Digital validation promotes an equitable onboard experience and means Transit Operators no longer have to visually validate passes. It also aligns the validation process with TransLink’s for a more consistent rider experience.
BC Transit would like to take this opportunity to thank the hard-working employees for their dedication, customers for their ongoing support, and local government and operating company partners for their continued collaboration. BC Transit looks forward to providing customers throughout the province with safe and reliable public transit in 2026 and will work hard to be your best transportation solution.
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