B.C. Greens call for expanded free transit for youth expansion

The provincial Green Party is calling on an expansion to free transit services for all youth.

In September 2021, the B.C. NDP made it free for children aged 12 and under to access transit.

On Friday, the B.C. Greens called for an expansion to that program that makes it free for all youth up to the age of 18 to access B.C. Transit and TransLink services are free of charge.

“Providing safe transportation options is essential for the well-being and independence of our youth, many of whom face significant barriers due to financial constraints,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley.

”Free transit makes it easier for teens to access school, extracurricular, and employment opportunities that are critical to their development and future success. As the summer months approach, increased mobility can expand job options and help to alleviate the labour shortage many local businesses are struggling with. However, we must also be investing in the buses and essential infrastructure to make this possible.”

The B.C. Greens are also repeating a call made this past February to increase provincial funding for B.C. Transit to $1 billion.