BC Greens commit to free transit for youth and seniors, promise Sea-to-Sky buses in year one
The BC Green Party published its transit and transportation plan on 9 October 2026, promising free transit for riders under 25 and over 65, and buses on the Sea-to-Sky corridor within the first year.
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The BC Green Party published its transit and transportation plan on 9 October 2026, committing to free transit for riders under 25 and seniors 65 and over, and to buses on the Sea-to-Sky corridor within the first year of government.
Emily Lowan, the BC Greens leader and candidate for Saanich North and the Islands, said in the party's release that BC transit riders and workers have faced funding instability. The party has not named a dollar amount for its overall transit commitment in this release.
The plan sets out a phased approach to free fares. According to the party's release, the Greens would first prioritize making transit fast and frequent, starting with the goal of doubling the number of buses on the roads within the first term. Free passes for riders under 25 and seniors 65 and over would come first; broader free transit would follow once infrastructure improvements are in place and funding stabilizes. These are the party's stated plans and have not been assessed independently.
For the Sea-to-Sky corridor, the party says it would have buses running within year one. Jeremy Valeriote, the BC Green candidate for West Vancouver-Sea-to-Sky, said in the release that constituents have been asking for transit to the region for years.
On ferries, the party says it would work with the federal government to increase funding and reach parity with Atlantic Canada, expand infrastructure at terminals and docks, plan for electric ferries, and build and maintain ships locally. On passenger rail, the plan proposes financial support for the BC Rail Corridor Alliance including an engineering assessment and an economic study, protecting the rail corridor as a public asset, and working with First Nations and the Island Corridor Foundation on next steps for Vancouver Island rail.
Voters can see all BC Green Party candidates at /bc/provincial-2026/parties/bc-green-party. The BC provincial election is on 24 October 2026. Advance voting runs 16 to 21 October. Check your place to vote at elections.bc.ca.
Questions this story answers
What did the BC Greens promise for transit fares on 9 October 2026?
The BC Green Party published a transit plan on 9 October 2026 saying it would make transit free for riders under the age of 25 and for seniors aged 65 and over. The party's release says it would approach free transit in phases, starting with those two age groups before expanding once infrastructure improvements are in place and funding stabilizes. The party's goal is fast, frequent transit first; free fares come after that foundation is built. These are the party's stated commitments and have not been costed independently.
What did the BC Greens say about transit frequency and bus numbers?
The BC Green Party's transit plan, published 9 October 2026, says the party would prioritize doubling the number of buses on the roads within its first term. The party frames this as a precondition for free fares: fast and frequent service first, then expanding who rides for free. No dollar figure for this expansion appears in the release published that day.
What did the BC Greens promise for Sea-to-Sky transit?
The BC Green Party's transit plan says it would have buses operating on the Sea-to-Sky corridor within the first year of a BC Greens government. Jeremy Valeriote, the BC Green candidate for West Vancouver-Sea-to-Sky and the candidate who announced the related tourism plan the same day, said in the party's release that the provincial government has 'thrown up roadblocks' to getting transit to the region. The party has not published a cost figure for this service in the 9 October release.
What did the BC Greens commit to for BC passenger rail?
The BC Green Party's transportation plan, published 9 October 2026, says the party would provide financial support to the BC Rail Corridor Alliance for an engineering assessment, an economic study and operations funding. It also says the Greens would protect the rail corridor as a public transportation asset while options for active transportation, recreation and tourism are assessed. For Vancouver Island, the plan says the Greens would work with First Nations and the Island Corridor Foundation to determine next steps.
What did the BC Greens promise for BC Ferries?
The BC Green Party's transportation plan, published 9 October 2026, says the party would work with the federal government to increase ferry funding and achieve parity with Atlantic Canada. It also says the Greens would expand infrastructure at terminals and docks, plan for electric ferries, and build and maintain ships locally to support the local economy and union work. These commitments come from the party's own release.
Why did the BC Greens release a transit plan when they already announced other platforms?
The BC Green Party is releasing individual platform sections during the provincial election campaign leading up to 24 October 2026. The transit and transportation release was published on 9 October 2026, the same day the party also released its tourism plan. Emily Lowan, the party leader and candidate for Saanich North and the Islands, said in the release that BC transit riders and workers have faced funding instability under the current government.
Where can I find all BC Greens candidates in this election?
You can see every BC Green Party candidate running in the 24 October 2026 BC provincial election at /bc/provincial-2026/parties/bc-green-party on this site. Each candidate page shows the district they are running in.
When is advance voting for the BC provincial election?
Advance voting for the BC provincial election runs from 16 to 21 October 2026. Election day is 24 October 2026. You can find your voting place and confirm your registration at elections.bc.ca. All 93 provincial districts across BC will vote on that day to elect one Member of the Legislative Assembly each.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
- BC Green Party transit and transportation plan, 9 October 2026bcgreens.ca
- BC Green Party websitebcgreens.ca
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