Greater Victoria students are throwing their support behind the regionB次元官网网址檚 municipalities who want greater control over B.C. Transit.
Both the University of Victoria and Camosun College student societies are urging B.C. Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom to give the Capital Regional District control of transportation planning.
B次元官网网址淭he biggest issue facing students in the transit system is students being left behind on buses both on and off campus,B次元官网网址� said Lucia Orser, UVSS director of external relations.
Lekstrom appointed a review panel in March after complaints that the provincially appointed B.C. Transit board was making costly changes without consulting the communities, whose fares and property taxes cover more than half the cost of transit service.
He has promised to respond to the recommendations of the panel during the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference in September.
B次元官网网址淭he CRD has the ability to raise revenues other than from property taxes and fares, which is the (revenue) system B.C. Transit operates on,B次元官网网址� said Madeline Keller-MacLeod, CamosunB次元官网网址檚 student society spokeswoman.
Bus pass-ups are still commonplace for more than 30,000 UVic and Camosun students that commute each day to and from campus, Keller-MacLeod said.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just during peak hours, itB次元官网网址檚 throughout the day as well,B次元官网网址� she added.
Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard has publicly stated the pooling of transportation budgets for integrated planning is the eventual goal of the CRD, a process that could take two years to complete.
B次元官网网址淚f the province gives the CRD transit, thatB次元官网网址檚 the first step,B次元官网网址� Leonard said.
Orser said environmental factors also weigh heavily on the student unionsB次元官网网址� decision to support CRD control of transit planning.
B次元官网网址淭ransportation accounts for the largest share of greenhouse gases emitted in the Capital Region,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淚f we are serious about transitioning off fossil fuels, we need to create local, livable communities that promote active transportation options such as walking, cycling and public transit.B次元官网网址�
Keller-MacLeod said both student unions have requested a meeting with Lekstrom to express their support.
