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BC Transit. By Andrew B, Andrew H, Chelsea F, and John M.



Before BC Transit was created, transit systems were already operating in several communities across the province of B.C.
====In 1890, the B.C. Electric Railway (BCER) Company was founded, which began a long period of streetcar expansion into the transit industry. In the late 1920’s, buses were added to the streetcar system, diversifying the fleet of transit vehicles. In 1945, the transit fleet continued its expansion, adding the electric trolley bus to the list. The Premier of B.C, William A.C purchased BCER in 1961, operating the system under the power of the province of B.C. A year later, transit duties in Victoria and Vancouver were undertaken by the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro). ==== ====In 1979, the B.C provincial government created the Urban Transit Authority (UTA), a Crown corporation, with the intentions being to coordinate the planning, marketing and funding of municipal transit systems in all metro and rural areas of the province. A year after the creation of the UTA, operation of the Victoria and Vancouver transit systems switched from BC Hydro to the new organization. In 1982 it was formally renamed BC Transit. ==== ====Major changes within BC Transit occurred in 1999, when operation of Metro Vancouver transit services changed hands, passing from BC Transit to the newly formed Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (TransLink). ====



**Highlights of BC Transits History**

 * ====1992 North American transit systems were introduced to low-floor buses,accommodating the needs of wheelchair and senior citizen users. ====
 * ====1996 American Public Transit Association rated BC Transit the number one transit system in North America. ====
 * ====1998 The first U-PASS system was launched in Victoria, catering to the students of Uvic and Camosun College. ====
 * ====2000 The regions of Victoria and Kelowna were introduced to the first double deck buses in North America. ====
 * ====2005 First hybrid buses began duty in Canada. (Kelowna) ====
 * ====2010 The largest fleet of hydrogen cell fueled buses began operation in one place (Whistler, B.C). The fleet was showcased at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. ====

BC Transit. Transit History and Highlights (2011). BC Transit Corporation. Retrieved from: []



<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%;">Hubbard (2010), photo retrieved from: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%;">[]

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Facts**

 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">58 local government funding partners, including the Victoria Regional Transit Commission and regional hospital districts ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Operations provided by 18 private operating companies, 5 public operating organizations and 15 non-profit agencies ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">51.2 million passengers carried in 2010/11 ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Over 1.5 million people served in B.C. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">81 transit system agreements – conventional, custom and paratransit ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Fleet of 1,028 conventional and double-deck buses, minibuses and vans ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">$249 million in expenditures in 2010/11 ====

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%;">BC Transit. Organiztional Scope (2011). BC Transit Corporation. Retrieved from: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%;">http://www.transitbc.com/corporate/?p=1.txt

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Fares
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Fares for BC Transit are as follows (//effective April 1st, 2011//):

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Single Fare:
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Adult/ College or Uni. student: $2.50
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Senior (65+)/ Youth (6-18yrs): $1.65

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Monthly Pass:
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Adult: $82.50
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">College/ Uni student: $74.50
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Senior/ Youth: $49.00

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">BC Transit runs the entire Victoria Regional Transport System as a one-fare zone, requiring only a single fare to travel anywhere between Sooke B.C and Sidney B.C.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Further information regarding BC Transit's fares is available at: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[]

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Incidents**
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">BC Transit has been involved in a few incidents in recent years that have brought public scrutiny upon the organization.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">__Sept 13th 2007__ - Passenger tasered by transit officer after accused offender attempted to flee after not paying required fare

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The accused passenger proceeded to make a formal complaint, which caused numerous reviews of the case and of the use of tasers by Transit Police. While under investigation, different conclusions were made regarding the case. A Vancouver Police Department investigation suggested that an abuse of authority was present, while an investigation by Port Moody Police found the officers actions were warranted and justified. No disciplinary actions were taken against the officer, however Police Complaint Commissioner Stan Lowe called for the province to enact standard rules for the use of conducted energy weapons. This case is sensitive to most B.C citizens as the death of Robert Dziekanski is still fresh in people’s minds. Mr. Dzekanski died in October 2007 after being tasered by RCMP in the Vancouver Int’l Airport.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%;">The Canadian Press (Nov. 2010) Taser use by B.C Transit Cop goes to hearing. //In CBC News British Columbia//. Retrieved October 27, 2011 from: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%;">[]