Victoria Transit Riders Union

Check out our upcoming events http://victoriatransitridersunion.com/events

On July 6 at 6:30 pm, join us in support of the Youth Council at the Saanich Council meeting. We'll be backing their motions for free transit for BC youth; for the Indigenous-led Reconciliation Corridor Initiative; and to establish a permanent youth council. To register to speak or submit your opinion, visit the District of Saanich meeting website: https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/mayor-council/schedule-agendas-minutes.html

Great article in The Tyee yesterday!

VTRU believes in a fair, affordable, and bright future for ALL

Shameful

Transit Police are calling border enforcement more — but you wouldn't know that from their own records In 2024, Metro Vancouver transit cops’ immigration calls reached their highest in a decade. But not even a tenth of them went into daily duty reports as required

Join us Saturday, June 20th for an afternoon of crafting our very own bus to ride in at the Victoria Pride Parade. This is a great chance to meet some transit friends and secure your spot to march along with us this July!

We'll have snacks and supplies, just bring your creativity and curiosity. All are welcome, we can't wait to see you there!

We participated in the BC Budget Consultation process last week!

Liz brought forward our recommendations to:

🚌 Massively increase public transit funding

🚌 De-privatize the entire public transit system

🚌 Abolish fares, starting with youth, seniors, and people on provincial income assistance and disability

In case the provincial government needs to be pushed to adopt these changes and others that transit riders need, please join us!!!

We are recruiting members, and also volunteers. Want to walk with us in the Victoria Pride Parade?! Get in touch!!! 🚌🌈❤️

🚏 Next stop, new bus shelters!

Almost 100 new shelters are being installed by the end of 2026.
✅ 10 stops getting shelters for the first time
🔄 88 shelters being replaced

The upgrades will make transit safer and more comfortable for everyone – at no cost to the City.

New shelters will have benches, be wheelchair accessible and meet current accessibility standards.

Learn more: victoria.ca/news

The Victoria Transit Riders Union (VTRU) is declaring its full support for Victoria transit workers following their strike vote on Thursday, May 28th, and is calling on BC Transit to offer the bus drivers, mechanics, electricians, and other transit workers represented by Unifor Local 333-BC a fair deal, with decent wages and working conditions, including adequate time for breaks and access to bathroom facilities.

“VTRU stands with bus drivers and other transit workers. The work they do is critical to this city and to the planet, and we support their fight for dignified working conditions and a fair deal,” said Liz Cronin, the Chair of VTRU.

“We will hold BC Transit responsible for any resulting service disruption, not the workers,” said Cronin.

VTRU is appalled that BC Transit has failed to make a reasonable offer to these workers after more than 14 months of negotiations.

VTRU is also disappointed with BC Transit’s recently-stated commitment to striking a deal that “balances the needs of employees, riders, and the long-term sustainability of transit service.” VTRU views this as a transparent attempt to pit riders against the workers, when in reality a fair deal for the workers is essential to the needs of riders and to transit sustainability.

“As transit riders, we depend on these workers for our transportation and our safety. They are members of our communities and families; they are our neighbours and our friends” said Cronin. “So their needs are the needs of riders, too. There is no need to ‘balance’ these things.”

We'll be at the May Day BBQ handing out flyers and making more t-shirts!