Victoria Transit Riders Union

05/29/2026

🚏 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

05/29/2026

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.”

04/30/2026

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

04/23/2026

Thanks to everyone who joined us yesterday at our Earth Day rally to call for fare-free transit for teens! We had speeches from teachers, bus driver, politicians, and teens.

Transit was free on Earth Day, but every day should be "Earth Day"!

04/23/2026

BC Green MLA and BC Green Leader at the Earth Day rally at the legislature in support of 🚎🧑‍🦽‍➡️🚴‍♀️🚶‍♀️✌️

04/21/2026

This Earth Day, the Victoria Transit Riders Union (VTRU) is rallying for immediate fare-free transit access for all BC youth.

The rally will be at the BC Legislature Building on Wednesday, April 22 from 4-6 PM. Speakers include VTRU Chair Liz Cronin, BC Green Party leader Emily Lowan, Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association president Carolyn Howe, and local transit workers and teens. Speeches will begin at 4:30.

Earlier this month, the Regional District of Nanaimo approved a plan to make transit free for teens aged 18 and under after hearing that a 2025 study by Limestone Analytics found free youth transit in Kingston, Ontario has resulted in approximately 196,000 additional youth transit rides, 72,000 fewer car trips, and 70 tonnes of CO2 emissions reductions every year. The study also credited the program for 16,000 fewer absences within the Kingston secondary school system, and approximately 10,000 hours of caregiver time saved.

“When free transit was extended to kids 12 and under in BC it made a huge difference to families,” said Liz Cronin, chair of the Victoria Transit Riders Union. “Please join us this Earth Day in demanding fare-free transit for all BC youth. When youth can move freely and safely they visit friends and family, access supports, and participate in extracurricular activities. BC youth are an excellent investment, and together we can ensure them freedom of movement.”

“Free Earth Day transit is a nice but performative acknowledgement that fares are bad for the environment.” said Nathan Bird, an organizer with Victoria Transit Riders Union. “Free youth transit would make a real, meaningful difference in people’s lives and their future – and it also makes sense as a response to high gas prices.”

Buses are free in Victoria on Earth Day.

VTRU is campaigning for universal fare-free transit at the provincial level, starting immediately with teens (18 and under), seniors (65 and up), and recipients of provincial income assistance and disability.

The provincial government has made it clear that it believes municipalities should fund additional fare-free programs. This is despite a 2024 BC NDP election promise to introduce fare-free transit for seniors in off-peak hours, a 2024 UBCM resolution calling for fare-free transit for BC teens, and a 2025 BC NDP Convention resolution calling for fare-free transit for BC youth and seniors.

The BC NDP sharply criticized the BC Liberals for eliminating free bus passes for people on provincial disability assistance in 2016, but have failed to restore these passes after nearly a decade in power.

VTRU hopes that transit riders will take advantage of the free Earth Day transit access to join their rally for year-round fare-free transit for youth.

This Earth Day, the Victoria Transit Riders Union (VTRU) is rallying for immediate fare-free transit access for all BC youth. The rally will be at the BC Legislature Building on Wednesday…

04/16/2026

Please sign and share!!!

Solidarity with these workers. ❤️ All jobs supporting public transit should be de-privatized and should have good pay and working conditions.

Excellent public transit requires excellent public transit jobs!!!

📝SIGN THE PETITION!
🔗https://justiceforjanitors.ca/vancouverskytrain/

📢Dexterra SkyTrain cleaners in Vancouver are sounding the alarm about a litany of workplace violations and safety concerns on the TransLink system. This is about safety, dignity, and public health.

It’s time for TransLink to listen.

BC Federation of Labour Vancouver & District Labour Council

Image description in alt text.

04/15/2026

Free Youth Transit NOW
Earth Day Rally
April 22 at 4pm on the Legislature lawn

03/18/2026

Happy Transit Worker Appreciation Day!

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the transit workers who make it possible for public transit to happen in Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ territory, around so-called BC, and beyond. Thank you for your service.

We hear that the workers in our region are in bargaining. BC Transit - give them a good deal! BC Government - tax the rich and fund BC Transit appropriately so they can give transit workers the contracts they deserve! We send endless solidarity to these workers.

These are some cards that folks made at our Spring Transit Celebration event a few days ago. Please share these far and wide, and share your own words of appreciation of transit workers for delivering something that does so much good in our communities, public transit. ❤️