Last weekend, members of the BC NDP flocked to Victoria in order to attend the annual convention.
At this convention, several resolutions were presented to the party members, who currently hold a narrow majority government in BC.
Two of these resolutions had to do with fare-free transit initiatives.
Victoria Transit Riders Union (VTRU) says these resolutions not only call for free transit for youth and seniors, but also for dramatic improvements to be made.
One such improvement involves the de-privatization of transit in BC, and investing in a system that will work for the future.
The goal of the first resolution, specifically, is to allow free transit for BC youth aged 19-years-old and under, as well as seniors aged 60 and older.
“It’s fantastic to see NDP delegates coming out strong in support of these critically needed changes to transit,” said Liz Cronin, Interim Chair of the Victoria Transit Riders Union.
“Seniors and youth especially need relief in the midst of this affordability crisis – providing them with free access to improved transit will permit them to reach family, recreation, employment, food, and everything they need to care for themselves and others.”
Meanwhile, the second calls for investing in high-quality transit systems, de-privatizing, shifting to free transit for all and expediting work on the UBC SkyTrain Extension.
The second resolution was a collaboration submitted by Esquimalt-Colwood, Vancouver-Point Grey, the BC Federation of Labour, BC Young New Democrats and CUPE BC.
“As a social worker, I’m very excited about how robustly-funded, truly public, interconnected, and fare-free transit will transform the province”, said Cronin.
“No part of this system should ever have been privatized and we’re pleased that the delegates are demanding de-privatization.”
VTRU says that climate change means seriously investing in public transit while expanding and improving it.
Furthermore, the union added that the innovation of electric cars is a luxury, not a solution.
During 2024’s provincial election, the BC NDP campaigned on providing free transit for seniors during off-peak hours.
The Province was also asked to expand free transit for youth so anyone in Grade 12 and below could ride for free, rather than the current threshold of 12-years-old.
The BC NDP have yet to act on either of these fronts, but accepting these two resolutions at their annual convention is a good start, says VTRU.
Despite the fact that these resolutions were approved at the convention, they still must be included on a bill and made legislation before they would come into effect.
