Local transit continues to adjust its service around the island to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective immediately, BC Transit will be free for all passengers in Victoria and Nanaimo, and transit users will be required to board and exit through the rear doors for the next 30 days.
These measures are meant to keep drivers separated from passengers during this period of social distancing. Shuttle buses will operate with single door entry/exit.
For the next 30 days we are implementing rear door boarding in #Victoria and #Nanaimo to enhance social distancing for drivers and passengers. #yyjtraffic #transportationBC
✔️ Enter and exit using the rear doors
✔️ Use front doors for accessible boarding
✔️ No fare is required pic.twitter.com/nxjWIf8zIW— BC Transit (@BCTransit) March 19, 2020
With more and more individuals staying home from work and school, fewer people have been using the city’s transit system.
As a result, BC Transit announced yesterday that they will be reducing the amount of service they provide in Victoria.
Victoria residents can expect daily trip cancellations for the foreseeable future, as a reflection of the demand and driver availability.
“We recognize this is a fluid situation and will update customers on a day-by-day basis while we work on implementing and communicating a new sustainable plan for service,” reads a statement from the crown corporation.
The new policy will be in place over the next 30 days and fare boxes will remain covered during this period.
With files from Brishti Basu