BC Transit adding extra Victoria-to-Swartz Bay service during FIFA World Cup

BC Transit riders heading to and from the ferry terminal may see additional service this summer.

Greater Victoria transit users travelling to and from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal can expect additional BC Transit service during this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

With Vancouver hosting several matches as part of the FIFA World Cup, BC Transit says it is preparing for increased passenger volumes across the province as fans travel to and from games throughout June and July.

To help manage the anticipated demand, BC Transit and its local government partners will deploy additional resources on key routes connecting travellers with ferry and transit services.

In Greater Victoria, available buses will be used to increase capacity on routes 70, 70X and 72, which provide service between Victoria and the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.

BC Transit says the extra buses will be dispatched as needed to respond to higher passenger volumes, particularly for travellers connecting with BC Ferries and other transportation services.

Unlike regularly scheduled buses, some of the additional vehicles deployed in Greater Victoria will not appear in real-time transit tracking or trip-planning apps.

BC Transit is also encouraging customers to take advantage of its contactless payment system, which allows riders to pay fares using debit cards, credit cards or mobile wallets on transit systems that use Umo.

The service enhancements are part of a province-wide effort that also includes additional transit resources in the Fraser Valley and Nanaimo regions to support ferry and transit connections during the international sporting event.

BC Transit thanked its provincial and local government partners for helping fund the additional service and support sustainable transportation options throughout the tournament.

The FIFA World Cup takes place from June 11th to July 19th, with Vancouver hosting seven matches including five group-stage games, a Round of 32 match and a Round of 16 match.

While no dedicated World Cup routes are being introduced in Greater Victoria, BC Transit says additional buses will be deployed where possible to help accommodate increased travel demand between Victoria and the Swartz Bay ferry terminal during the tournament.

Just last week, BC Transit workers voted nearly 97% in favour of strike action but have yet to issue that.

The vote comes after more than 14 months of bargaining between the union and BC Transit over a new collective agreement, which expired on March 31st, 2025.

The strike vote covers approximately 790 conventional transit operators and mechanics who work throughout the Victoria Regional Transit System.

According to a BC Transit driver who spoke with Victoria Buzz, negotiations reached an impasse last week after discussions surrounding issues including break times, access to washroom facilities and benefits.

The union can give 72 hours strike notice anytime between now and the next 90 days.