The Capital Regional District agreed Wednesday to press the federal and provincial government for increased investment in public transit as a way to promote economic recovery during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Saanich Coun. Ned Taylor said the region’s transit system was in need of improvements even before the pandemic hit.
“There are many areas of our region that are actually not even serviced at all by our bus system,” he said. “There are areas of our region that are serviced, but that do not have, from my perspective, frequent-enough service in order to support our residents.”
But he said it’s even more important to fix the system now in light of the pandemic and its effect on people’s ability to make a living.
“I think the economic impacts that we are facing because of COVID-19 will mean that there may be many more people who will not be able to afford to own their own vehicle and may have to rely more on public transportation,” he said.
“Also, it’s notable that with social-distancing requirements, our bus system will have less capacity for people on the bus. So I think that COVID actually presents even more rationale and even more urgency for increased public-transportation service in our region.”
Metchosin Mayor John Ranns opposed the motion as “too restrictive” given other pressures facing the region.
“It is focusing where the stimulus money will be spent,” he said. “I see this as an ideological initiative and I don’t think this is the time for that. I can’t help but think that there’s a number of members here that don’t really see the new world that we’re entering.”
Ranns said the country has yet to experience the full impact of the pandemic, because many people are still being supported by federal government programs.
“When that ends, when the jobs end, when everything else ends, we are going to be in severe economic trouble,” he said. “I’ve been there. I know what it’s like, where you’re going to be fighting to try and just find money for essential things.”
Ranns said it’s unclear what will happen to transportation as people lose their jobs, while others continue to work from home. “Is there even going to be a need for that much transportation? We don’t know that.”
Saanich Coun. Rebecca Mersereau acknowledged Ranns’ concerns, but argued that reliable public transportation will continue to be important “when we emerge on the other side of this.”
Saanich Coun. Susan Brice, who chairs the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, backed the motion as well. She said the commission has already advocated for increased investments and reliable annual funding. “So therefore, if another voice with the same message will help, I certainly intend to support it,” she said.
