Victoria- B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau unveiled an ambitious policy to provide free public transit across the province. The plan, designed to relieve financial strain on families, enhance community livability, and significantly reduce carbon emissions, aims to reshape the province’s transportation system.
“Transit is a gift,” Furstenau stated in an interview, emphasizing its potential to offer freedom, mobility, and time savings. Under the proposal, the Greens also advocate for hourly services on key regional routes, with a goal to double the number of city buses within four years and triple them in eight years.
Calling free transit a “win-win” solution, Furstenau highlighted that it could not only ease traffic congestion but also deliver financial relief to households. According to her, families in B.C. spend about 14% of their income on transportation, with car ownership costing nearly $10,000 annually, compared to under $1,000 for transit. By offering free transit, the policy would save families money while advancing the province’s climate goals.
“Transportation affects every aspect of our lives—where we live, how we connect with others, and whether we can access opportunities,” Furstenau said. “Fast, frequent, and free transit will shift how people move, reduce household costs, and enable a giant leap forward on meeting our climate goals.”
Prof Pritam Singh says
This is a great initiative. Green Party again proves that it truly is the party of our times.