Students at the University of Victoria and Camosun College will soon have a voice at the commission overseeing local B.C. Transit service.
The Victoria Regional Transit Commission B次元官网网址� which determines route configurations, sets fares and approves transit capital spending B次元官网网址� voted on Feb. 18 to give student societies from both schools one non-voting seat. The VRTC is currently made up of elected politicians from Saanich, Victoria and alternating members from Esquimalt-Oak Bay and both the Peninsula and West Shore communities.
B次元官网网址淲e went with a non-voting seat because a voting seat would require a change in legislation around regional transit commissions. That would have taken some time and lobbying,B次元官网网址� said Greg Atkinson, UVic Student Society director of external relations. Post-secondary students pay for unlimited bus access each semester through B.C. TransitB次元官网网址檚 U-Pass program.
Atkinson said the commission seat will be filled on a rotating basis with a member from CamosunB次元官网网址檚 student society beginning at the VRTCB次元官网网址檚 June 16 meeting. The two student societies represent about 36,000 undergraduate students across Greater Victoria.
B次元官网网址淥ur seat means we get agendas, budgets, reports beforehand so we know what to expect as issues come forward,B次元官网网址� Atkinson said.
The motion was brought forward by Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell and seconded by Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins. Atwell vowed last October he would push for VRTC student society representation if elected to office.
B次元官网网址淭he students did a lot of the work and presentation,B次元官网网址� Atwell said. B次元官网网址淲e drafted the motion and because it didnB次元官网网址檛 require a legislative change, we were able to vote on it. IB次元官网网址檓 glad to see student societies participate in a more formal way.B次元官网网址�
Desjardins said the vote was unanimous after students spent the past few months lobbying VRTC members.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 a wonderful idea. Now, the second step is to look at a legislative change at the provincial level,B次元官网网址� Desjardins said.
The governance structure of the VRTC has been debated for years. Some politicians want its authority to be transferred to the Capital Regional District, while others propose opening up the commission to more permanent municipal and stakeholder members.
Desjardins favours the latter option.
B次元官网网址淚t seems a little ridiculous to only have one Peninsula and one West Shore seat when theyB次元官网网址檙e the fastest growing communities,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 where the expansion will be and they need more of a voice.B次元官网网址�
Atkinson said student representation at the transit commission is precedent-setting across B.C.
B.C. Transit staff will bring back a report to the VRTC in June that outlines how a legislative change might occur to allow for more voting members.
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