BC Transit is releasing its 2013/14 annual report. This year’s achievements include increases in ridership and revenue, while delivering services under budget. Province-wide, BC Transit enjoyed a 2.7 percent increase in ridership over the previous year with 51 million annual passenger trips.
A number of communities experienced significant growth in ridership in 2013/14 including Agassiz-Harrison, Chilliwack, the Cowichan Valley Commuter, Comox Valley, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Salt Spring Island, Squamish, Summerland and Victoria.
In 2013/14 operating costs were 3.8 percent ($8.7 million) below budget due to operational efficiencies, helping reduce the burden on taxpayers of funding public transit.
BC Transit served more than 1.6 million British Columbians. Operating costs were $222.3 million in 2013/14. Ridership was supported by a fleet of 1,052 BC Transit vehicles, the 17th largest fleet in North America.
“We are encouraged with the results achieved in 2013/14,” said Kevin Mahoney, chair of the BC Transit Board of Directors. “As we move into 2014/15, we will continue to work with our partners to provide excellence in customer service and to ensure maximum value for the taxpayers of British Columbia.”
In 2013/14, BC Transit celebrated a number of milestones, including a 35 year operating anniversary in Prince George, 20 years in Parksville-Qualicum Beach and five years in both Salt Spring Island and Mount Waddington. We also marked 15 years of paratransit service in Clearwater, Hazleton and the Slocan Valley regions.
2013/14 Major Accomplishments
- Introduced BC Transit’s first CNG fleet in the Regional District of Nanaimo
- Integrated nine operating system into one with the unveiling of the West Kootenay Transit System
- Launched local transit service in Ladysmith and Summerland
- Implemented service changes in more than 40 communities to increase ridership and operational productivity
- Broke ground on Phase 2 of RapidBus in West Kelowna
- Celebrated the arrival of Vicinity buses in six BC Transit communities
