Victoria Transit Future Plan
Victoria Region Transit Priority Plan
In support of the Victoria Transit Future Plan, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission has approved investing $1.5 million dollars in bus/bike only lanes on Douglas Street. Phase 1 of Douglas Street Priority Transit and Cycling Lanes officially opened on June 9, 2014 and phase 2 was officially opened on September 3, 2015.
Victoria Bus Lane Priority Project Update
November 2018
The southbound Douglas Street bus priority lanes expansion, reaching from Tolmie Avenue to Hillside Avenue, is now complete. As of Monday, November 5th, priority bus lanes will be in effect both northbound and southbound between Fisgard Street and Tolmie Avenue.
The priority lanes are meant for buses, including those run by BC Transit and private tour companies. Motorists are allowed to enter the priority bus lanes only if making a right hand turn within the block.
Watch for these signs along the Douglas corridor:
Bus priority lanes will operate as follows:
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Northbound:
24/7 between Pembroke Street and Tolmie Avenue
3-6 p.m. only between Fisgard Street and Pembroke Street
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Southbound:
24/7 between Tolmie Avenue and Kings Road
6-9 a.m. only between Kings Road and Fisgard Street
The priority lanes, an infrastructure project designed in partnership with the City of Victoria, will shorten travel times for passengers, increase the reliability of public transit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Encouraging more transit use will also lower the number of vehicles on the road, helping to reduce congestion. The Douglas Street corridor currently supports as many as 1,700 vehicles per hour during peak travel times.
The fine for being in a priority bus lane is $109. The Victoria City Police will engage in an active education campaign in the coming weeks.
Update January 2018
Douglas Southbound Lane Extension
Tolmie Avenue to Hillside Avenue
Construction is set to begin in late January for the southbound Douglas Street bus and bike priority lanes, which will reach from Tolmie Avenue to Hillside Avenue.
As the roadway is under the jurisdiction of the City of Victoria, the city is managing the construction contract process. Construction will include concrete and asphalt paving, sidewalk and boulevard restoration and improvements, tree and vegetation replacement, new line painting and new signal infrastructure.
The project is funded by the Province of BC and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission. Construction is expected to conclude in the fall of 2018.