Galiano Island’s first public transport system will soon be available to its residents thanks to a $429,453 federal investment made under the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF). In order to overcome long-standing transportation gaps and transform mobility on the 30-kilometre island, the funds will be utilised to buy two electric minibuses.
Under the direction of the Galiano Island Community Transportation Society, the project seeks to promote ecologically friendly, sustainable mobility options while enhancing youth, senior, and disabled people’s access to necessary services.
“A scheduled and flexible community transit system is a much-needed service for our rural island, especially given the distance between homes and ferry terminals,” said Society President Michael Hoebel, highlighting the need for the community. Maintaining reasonable rates and utilising electric cars benefits locals as well as the environment.
Residents will be able to travel more easily and independently to work, school, appointments, and social gatherings thanks to the new transit service, which will link important locations throughout the island.
Victoria’s Member of Parliament, Will Greaves, commended the project’s extensive advantages, saying, “Public transport is essential to every community’s well-being.” The coastal economy, which includes small businesses, tourism, and transportation jobs, will benefit from this investment in Galiano Island’s electric buses, which will also enhance accessibility and air quality.
The Galiano Island Community Transportation Society has contributed $3,000 towards the project’s overall cost, while the RTSF, a fund created to improve transportation infrastructure in Canada’s rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, is responsible for the government portion.
Quick Highlights:
- Federal investment: $429,453 through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund
- Local contribution: $3,000 from Galiano Island Community Transportation Society
- Project scope: Purchase of two electric minibuses
- Impact: First-ever transit system for Galiano Island, improving accessibility and sustainability
- Broader context: Part of Canada’s climate plan and the upcoming Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) offering $3 billion annually for community transit needs
Initiatives like Galiano’s new transit system are a step towards more inclusive and climate-resilient infrastructure nationwide, as one in five Canadians live in rural areas.
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