Whereas the transportation sector is the second-largest contributor of GHG, some of the largest reductions in GHGs are possible through facilitating a mode shift to low carbon mobility options, such as increased ridership of emissions-free transit; And whereas transforming regional public transit could drastically increase mode-shift to clean public transit system: Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia and BC Transit take immediate actions to support and provide funding for transformational improvements to regional BC transit infrastructure to promote and enable rapid mode shift to transit, including transitioning the BC Transit fleet to zero emissions as early in the 2020s as possible.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Government is committed to improving public transit in BC A strong public transit system reduces greenhouse gas emissions by providing an affordable alternative to auto travel. Encouraging more BritishColumbians to shift their travel from autos to transit produces lower carbon emissions per person-trip. Public transit also takes more car trips off the road, reducing traffic congestion, and supports the development of more compact liveable communities. Together with federal and local governments, BC is investing in public transit infrastructure in communities across the province. In the next 10 years, more than 8 billion will be invested under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund and the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve the capacity, accessibility and safety of transit systems. This includes SkyTrain extensions upgrades and new SkyTrain cars in Metro Vancouver, and new buses, passenger exchanges, and bus shelters across the rest of the province. Ministry staff and BC Transit are undertaking work on the transition to low emission fleet. In March 2019, in response to direction from the Province, BC Transit released its Low Carbon Fleet Program which identifies a pathway for replacing BC Transits bus fleet over the next decade with lower and zero emission vehicles to meet CleanBC targets. BC Transit plans to start buying only electric heavy-duty buses in 2023, with a target of creating a fully electric fleet by 2040. In July 2019, the Government of Canada, the Province and BC Transit announced the purchase of the first 10 battery electric buses for deployment in 2021. BC Transit is also introducing new CNG buses and fueling infrastructure to Victoria and the Central Fraser Valley to reduce emissions.