BC Transit is offering free rides in Victoria this Wednesday.
To mark Clear Air Day, the Crown corporation says transit in the Victoria region will be free all day for all customers, including handyDART riders, on June 7.
Offering free rides will “help provide a more environmentally-friendly transportation option,” according to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission in a release Monday.
Clean Air Day, declared by the Government of Canada in 1999 as part of Canadian Environment Week, aims to raise awareness about air quality and climate change and inspire people to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
“Air pollution knows no boundaries. It can affect every area of Canada, including urban and rural areas. That’s why this year’s theme is ‘Clean Air Everywhere,'” states a post on the government’s website.
“Sources of pollution in urban centres include vehicles, construction and gardening equipment, and industries.”
Last May, BC Transit announced the first of Greater Victoria’s heavy-duty battery-powered buses would hit the streets that fall, with another 10 to roll out this summer, as part of its goal to transition to an entirely electric fleet by 2040.
A spokesperson says the Victoria transit system is the only system on Vancouver Island offering free rides on Clean Air Day.
“As all fare revenue goes to our local government partners, they make the decisions on which days to provide free service,” Jamie Weiss told CHEK News.
Find more information about the Victoria transit system, including schedules, trip planning and customer alerts, online here.
Ethan Morneau
