BC Transit hikes bus fares in Victoria, Nanaimo, citing rising operating costs

BC Transit says that handyDARTs make more than 390,000 trips in the Greater Victoria region each year: (BC Gov)

BC Transit is hiking fares for bus riders in Victoria and Nanaimo, B.C., starting next month, citing rising operating costs and increasing demand for services.

The transit operator says fares in Victoria will increase by 20 per cent from $2.50 for a single ride to $3 starting on April 1, while the cost of a multi-ride DayPASS will increase from $5 to $6.

The Crown corporation says the Victoria Regional Transit Commission approved the fare increase following an extensive review process in the B.C. capital region last year.

The transit operator says the adjustment will mark the first fare increase for the Victoria regional transit system since 2010.

As part of the updated pricing, tickets for handyDART riders will increase from $25 to $30 for a booklet of 10 tickets.

All other fare prices will remain the same, including the 30-day concession pass ($45) for youths, seniors and students, and the regular 30-day adult pass ($85), BC Transit said.

Meanwhile, transit riders in Nanaimo will also be required to pay more come April 1, when the cost of a single ride will increase from $2.50 to $2.75, while the cost of a DayPASS will increase from $5 to $5.50.

The price of a 30-day concession pass in Nanaimo will rise from $40 to $45, while 30-day passes for university students will rise from $50 to $55, and university semester passes will rise from $170 to $176.

“The cost of operating transit has increased, as has the demand for service with an ever-growing population,” BC Transit said in a statement accompanying the fare increase announcements for both cities on Wednesday.

Transit fares in Nanaimo were last adjusted in 2016.