Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton is among the four new appointees to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission as the only representative for the West Shore.

Minister of transportation and infrastructure Blair Lekstrom announced the appointments on March 9. The new appointees join three current VRTC members to form the commission, which determines fares, routes and service levels.

The group also reviews and makes recommendations for B.C. TransitB次元官网网址檚 budget and spending in relation to the Victoria region.

Hamilton said the West Shore has some B次元官网网址渟ignificant transit issuesB次元官网网址� that she hopes to work on in the new position. She admitted she has some catching up to do but at this early stage sees the level of bus service and expanding options, such as the E&N railway, as primary concerns.

B次元官网网址淲e have to be lobbying on a number of fronts,B次元官网网址� Hamilton said, B次元官网网址渘ot just buses.B次元官网网址�

Concerns have been raised over the level of representation for the West Shore on the commission. Hamilton agrees that considering the size of the region and its level of growth, one representative for all six municipalities, including Sooke, is perhaps inadequate.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e probably a little short shifted in that regard,B次元官网网址� Hamilton said. B次元官网网址淚t would be nice to see it bumped up.B次元官网网址�

One possible solution is to have the Capital Regional District take over the responsibilities of the commission. An independent review of how public transit is delivered in the province has been initiated by the ministry, at the quest of mayors and other elected officials. The terms of that review are still being determined but Lekstrom has said that governance will be within its scope.

B次元官网网址淥verall the BC Transit system works well,B次元官网网址� Lekstrom said. B次元官网网址淗owever, I recognize the mayorsB次元官网网址� concerns and I think there is room for improvement.B次元官网网址�

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