During this week’s meeting, Sidney council voted in favour of submitting a letter to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC) opposing proposed changes.
The changes proposed by BC Transit would see Route 72 make an additional stop at Victoria International Airport (YYJ).
As of this publication, those hoping to get to YYJ from Victoria via bus have to take the 70 or 72 into Sidney and then catch the 87 or 88 to the airport, which can take upward of an hour.
At the time this change was proposed, Victoria city councillor and VRTC commissioner Jeremy Caradonna stated it was necessary.
“A change of this type has been discussed for a very long time in this region, and we hear a lot of feedback about poor service to YYJ,” said Caradonna in a media release.
Though many in Victoria welcomed this proposed change, Sidney residents have largely been speaking out in opposition to the matter.
Their motivation for opposing the change to Route 72 is that it would add approximately 10 minutes to the current trip duration for Sidney bus-goers.
“I am deeply concerned with transit service reductions for our residents and workers,” said Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith at the time the changes were proposed.
“Improved airport connectivity is an important goal, but it should only be pursued as part of an overall increase in service, not by reducing service to local riders.”
Related:
- BC Transit eyeing direct route from downtown Victoria to YYJ and Swartz Bay
- ‘Deeply concerned’: Sidney raises concerns over BC Transit’s airport bus proposal
On Monday, February 23rd, council voted unanimously to submit a letter to the VRTC, officially opposing the change.
BC Transit will continue analyzing the feedback and present a report to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission on March 10th.
During that meeting, the VRTC will decide whether the proposed Route 72 changes will proceed.
If the changes are implemented, they will be taking effect as soon as September 2026.
