BC Transit facts for kids
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|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | 520 Gorge Road East Victoria, British Columbia |
| Locale | Province of British Columbia (except Greater Vancouver) |
| Service area | 130 communities |
| Service type | bus service, paratransit, transportation planning |
| Fleet | 1,128 vehicles |
| Web site | www.bctransit.com |
BC Transit is a big public transportation company in British Columbia, Canada. It helps people get around by bus in many cities and towns. It's like a special government company that plans and runs bus services. BC Transit is based in Victoria, British Columbia. It serves over 130 communities across the province. However, it does not manage transit in the Greater Vancouver area. That's handled by another company called TransLink.
In a recent year (2020/21), about 27 million people used BC Transit buses. This shows how many people rely on their services every day.
How Did BC Transit Start?
BC Transit has a long history. It started from a company called the British Columbia Electric Railway. This company began way back in 1897. It later became part of BC Hydro in 1961. BC Hydro is a large power company.
From Trains to Buses
In the early days, the company used electric streetcars and interurban trams. These were like small trains that ran on tracks. But in the 1930s and 1940s, things changed. The company switched from tracks to rubber tires. They started using trolleybuses (buses powered by overhead electric lines) and regular gas-powered buses.
Becoming BC Transit
In 1979, the government decided to make transit a separate thing. They created the Urban Transit Authority (UTA). This agency was in charge of public transit for the province. Later, in 1983, the UTA was changed and became what we know today as BC Transit.
Transit in Greater Vancouver
In 1999, a new company called TransLink took over transit in the Greater Vancouver area. So, BC Transit now focuses on all other parts of British Columbia.
Cool Bus Innovations
- Double-Decker Buses: In 2000, BC Transit was one of the first transit systems in North America to use double-decker buses. These buses also had a low-floor design, making them easier for everyone to use.
- BC Bus North: When Greyhound Canada stopped its bus services in western Canada in 2018, BC Transit stepped in. They started a new service called BC Bus North. This helps people travel between cities in Northern British Columbia.
- Driver Safety: In 2019, BC Transit began adding special safety doors for bus drivers. This was to help keep drivers safe while on the job. The first bus with this new door was in Victoria.
- COVID-19 Changes: During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, BC Transit made some temporary changes. For a couple of months, rides were free. Passengers also had to board through the back door to help with social distancing.
What Kinds of Transit Systems Does BC Transit Run?
BC Transit helps manage many different bus systems across British Columbia.
Victoria Regional Transit System
The Victoria Regional Transit System is special. It's the only system that BC Transit runs directly. For all other systems, BC Transit works with local cities or private companies. Some cities, like Nanaimo and Nelson, operate their own services. Other places use private companies to run the buses.
Regional Transit Systems Across BC
BC Transit helps coordinate bus services in many communities. Here are some of the areas with regional transit systems:
- 100 Mile House
- Agassiz-Harrison
- Campbell River
- Central Fraser Valley
- Comox Valley
- Cowichan Valley
- Kamloops
- Kelowna
- Nanaimo
- Prince George
- South Okanagan-Similkameen (Penticton)
- Vernon
- Whistler
- And many more!
HandyDART Services
HandyDART is a special transit service. It uses smaller vans or buses. It helps people with disabilities or elderly passengers. These passengers might find it hard to use regular buses. HandyDART offers door-to-door service. This means the bus picks them up and drops them off right at their door. This service is available in many communities across BC.
BC Bus North Services
BC Bus North is an intercity bus service. It connects different cities, especially in Northern British Columbia. It started when Greyhound stopped its services. BC Transit helps guide its routes and schedules. Even though the buses don't have BC Transit logos, they are part of the network.
Health Connections Services
BC Transit Health Connections are small buses that travel between regions. They have less frequent schedules. Their main goal is to help people in rural areas. These people might need to travel to bigger towns for medical appointments. But anyone can use these services. They focus on areas like the Cariboo and the West Kootenays.
