The CVRD says they’ve received positive feedback for transit starting next year with a huge boost in funding.
According to a letter from the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, over $5 million will be allocated to the Cowichan Valley Regional Transit System over the next 10 years.
A staff report says BC Transit provided information to the district about the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF), and last September Transit applied for federal funding for regional transit systems across BC.
On Mar. 17, district staff were advised the CVRD was selected as one of 33 communities to be given funding based on a combination of ridership (70 per cent) and population (30 per cent).
“It’s anticipated that the funding could potentially be applied beginning on Apr. 4, 2026, which is the start of the BC Transit fiscal year,” they say. “Once CVRD staff receive the BC Transit three-year budget forecast and information on the estimated lease fees for the replacement CVX and SVX buses, staff will update the committee with these costs.”
In 2008, the province purchased eight heavy duty buses for the Cowichan Victoria Express and Shawnigan-Victoria Express and are expected to be due for replacement in the next few years.
According to the district, funding is expected to begin next year and could start at the beginning of the fiscal year for BC Transit.
