Transportation Options Archives

Highway project will ease commute — eventually

May 29, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Provincial, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Connecting communities is critical for helping business flow smoothly around the region. There are deliveries to make and appointments to keep, but good transportation is also vital to helping employers find and keep workers. This has been a consistent advocacy priority for Chamber members, who help us understand their biggest challenges by filling out our annual member survey as well as in daily interactions.

Of course, building better transportation corridors can require patience. That’s the case across the region, including Highway 1 where the bus-on-shoulder project is currently underway. New bus lanes from the McKenzie Interchange to the Colwood Interchange will make taking the bus faster and more reliable and convenient for commuters.

Drivers can expect daytime disruption during construction. The Burnside Road on-ramp and the Helmcken overpass will close overnight between 8 pm and 5:30 am. The Galloping Goose Trail also faces closures of as long as 15 minutes between 8 and 11 pm.

The Highway 1 bus-on-shoulder project is part of the South Island Transportation Strategy to create a dedicated rapid transit corridor between downtown Victoria and the Westshore. BC Transit currently operates its Blink RapidBus to connect the areas and is planning to expand the service over time.

The bus-on-shoulder project includes $67 million in provincial funding and $28 million in federal funds. The project is expected to be completed in late 2027.

Saanich seeks feedback on traffic calming measures

May 29, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Safe Communities, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

A survey that closes on Saturday will help the District of Saanich roll out its Traffic Calming Policy for municipal roadways. You can have your say on how Saanich addresses road dangers so drivers, pedestrians and cyclists feel safer travelling the district’s streets.

Traffic calming can include speed bumps, bike ways, traffic circles and other infrastructure designed to slow drivers. A survey for offering feedback is open until May 31. The findings will help Saanich refine its plan ahead of council approvals this summer.

Real estate market stays steady through Spring start

May 8, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Housing, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The chaos created by threats of tariffs and a tradewar is the likely reason for a cooler start to the spring housing market.

“Political uncertainty associated with the federal election, combined with broader economic concerns stemming from the United States tempered our brisk spring market growth,” Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Dirk VanderWal said in a media release. “The good news is we remain in that sweet spot of inventory, which we currently find is between 3,000 and 4,000 listings.”

VanderWal, who spoke to The Chamber’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee on Tuesday along with VREB CEO David Corey, said that having available inventory is good for buyers, sellers and the 1,600 real estate agents working in our region.

“Currently, single family homes in certain price ranges are in demand and may see multiple offers, while there is a larger supply of condos waiting for buyers,” VanderWal said.

The benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in April was $1,344,800, up from March’s value of $1,335,300. The benchmark value for a condominium in April was $566,100, up from the March value of $560,400.

Chamber championing ferries’ future resonates with Island communities

April 30, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Climate Change Solutions, Finding And Keeping Workers, Food Security, Global Uncertainty, Government Provincial, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber’s efforts to bring a business perspective to the future of our most vital transportation link has captured the attention of policy makers and business associations on the Island and across BC.

A letter penned by The Chamber on behalf of 20 organizations was sent to BC Premier David Eby last week. The letter makes the case for revisiting the recent decision by the BC Ferries commissioner to only approve four new vessels instead of the five required to meet demand.

The request was picked up by media during an interview with the Premier, who agreed that the vessels are needed.

“I think we need boats that are going to be able to serve the public well into the future here in British Columbia,” Eby told reporters. “It’s critical for commerce, for tourism and as the Island Highway for so many families and businesses.”

The Chamber supports efforts to reduce costs faced by taxpayers, and is grateful the provincial government has heard our calls to invest in ways that grow the economy for everyone. The attention on the issue has also raised the potential for federal funding to be part of the solution.

“Affordability is about more than just fares and yet there’s nothing that requires the commissioner to apply that lens,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams wrote in the letter about the need for infrastructure that drives business, industry and tourism.

Read The Chamber’s column

First cruise ship of the season arrives March 6

March 5, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

This year’s cruise ship season begins March 6, when the Disney Wonder is scheduled to arrive at 8 am before departing at 5 pm from Pier B at The Breakwater District at Ogden Point.

“As we embark on the 2025 cruise season, we are thrilled to welcome visitors from around the world to our vibrant city,” Greater Victoria Harbour Authority CEO Robert Lewis-Manning said in a media release. “We look forward to providing a warm, authentic welcome that showcases the rich culture and hospitality of our community.”

The Disney Wonder carries up to 2,700 passengers and 950 crew, and its arrival marks an early start to the season, as cruise ships deployed in other parts of the world typically return to the West Coast in April to prepare for their voyages to Alaska.

Cruise ship season gets fully underway April 4 with the arrival of Holland America’s Koningsdam. In total, 320 cruise ship visits are currently scheduled this year.

Last week, The Chamber reported on a big win for businesses downtown as our advocacy efforts helped relocate the shuttle stop for cruise ships ahead of the season

Esquimalt seeks feedback on transportation work

January 15, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Improvements to help smooth the flow of traffic through the Township of Esquimalt continue to be made. The municipality wants to hear from people and businesses who use Esquimalt Road to make sure work continues on the right path.

Esquimalt’s Active Transportation Network Plan was endorsed by council in 2022, outlining several key priorities for the township. One recommendation was creating an improved east-west route, with Esquimalt Road and Lyall Street identified as the top options. The project also includes storm and sewer infrastructure upgrades.

Residents and affected businesses can share their thoughts on route options, and view the project boards to find maps and details about the options. A survey is open until Jan. 27.

The municipality is also hosting an open house on Jan. 16, from 4-7 pm, in the Craigflower Room at the Esquimalt Rec Centre.

Esquimalt businesses can also book a one-on-one meetings with staff to discuss any questions about this phase of the project. The goal of these meetings is to is to go over business-related ideas, questions and concerns as they relate to this project.

Email engineering@esquimalt.ca to book your meeting and learn more about the proposed designs between Joffre and Canteen roads. Times are expected to book up quickly and meetings will be available:

Friday, Jan. 17, 9am – 4pm
Monday, Jan. 20, 10am – 4pm
Friday, Jan. 24 9am – 4pm.

Construction underway on Uptown transit hub

January 15, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Climate Change Solutions, Finding And Keeping Workers, Housing, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

A contract has been awarded to a Nanaimo firm to build out the Uptown Mobility Hub in the District of Saanich.

Major improvements to the Saanich neighbourhood are planned to make it easier for people to take the bus to get around the region. This transit hub will become the region’s principal RapidBus exchange and route connector.

Construction is expected to be completed by summer, including a new roadway, four new bus stops with shelters and dedicated bus lanes. The project also focuses on pedestrian safety and active transportation by improving crosswalks and intersections, and creating new multi-use pathways to build connections to the adjacent Galloping Goose Regional Trail network. The improvements are designed to increase housing supply, promote sustainable transportation options and enhance overall livability.

The provincial government is contributing $15.5 million and the federal government is providing $4.5 million.

Postal workers ordered back to job

December 11, 2024/in BizNews This Week, New And Established Businesses, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Snail mail isn’t often top of mind — although getting letters delivered has become the talk of the town, even with the Canada Post strike coming to an end. The impact on the holidays could be devastating for some, especially charities that rely on an annual intake of December donations for a bulk of their revenue.

Stepping up to help, Maximum Express Courier, Freight & Logistics has agreed to deliver donation cheques while carrying out their regular business.

“Maximum Express will pickup your donation cheque from any donor to the charity of your choice for free,” Maximum Express’s Al Hasham said. “Please email info@maxcourier.com or call our team at 250-721-3278 to arrange your pickup.”

On Dec. 13, the federal government stepped in by asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to assess the situation. On Dec. 16, the board ordered workers to resume operations as of 8 am local time on Dec. 17.

“Given the timing and duration of the strike, when our operations resume we will need to begin processing the mail and parcels trapped in our network. It will take time to clear our network, so customers should expect delays in processing and delivery,” Canada Post said in a statement.

“Some limitations will apply for the first 48 hours after our operations resume – including for pickups and drop-offs. Because of this, we will not receive or pick up new product until Thursday, December 19.”

BC Ferries faces challenges head on with creativity and innovation

November 27, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Government Provincial, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce hosted the final event in its 2024 Business Leaders Series, with a breakfast with BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Union Club of BC in Victoria.

More than 100 business and community leaders attended the breakfast, which featured a presentation by Jimenez followed by a Q&A session with Chamber CEO Bruce Williams and questions from the audience.

Jimenez addressed the recent news that BC Ferries was changing its advisory committee structure, as well as a call to add five new ships to the fleet.

“We know that BC Ferries has been working to improve how they manage their sailings, which is really important to businesses that transport groceries and other goods to the Island. I think our members appreciated hearing Nicolas explain how those improvements have resulted in fewer cancellations and better certainty for business,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “However, the ferry system has served the province for six decades and still has ships and terminals that were built in the 1960s. The Chamber is supportive of the work BC Ferries is doing to modernize its fleet and introduce efficiencies that will ensure future generations have an even stronger and more environmentally sustainable transportation link.”

Jimenez spoke about the importance of BC Ferries for people and families. The bulk of passengers are travelling for work, to attend appointments or visit family members. Tourism make up a smaller but vital segment of BC Ferries total passenger base, he said.

Going forward, the ferry operator understands it needs creativity and collaboration to address its challenges.

“If we are to close this funding gap that I described, we’re going to need to pull every lever that we can,” Jimenez told the Times Colonist. “We’re going to have to get very creative and we’re going to have to balance the needs of the system around reliability and resilience with affordability.

“So without prejudging what that’s going to look like, I think we’re going to have to have all policy options on the table.”

Feds step in to end labour disputes at Canadian ports

November 13, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Fair Rules, Food Security, Global Uncertainty, Government Federal, Inflation And Rising Costs, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber was part of advocacy efforts that succeeded in ending the recent labour disputes that had shut down vital ports across Canada.

The Chamber was a signatory to a letter that went directly to federal Minister of Labour and Seniors Steven MacKinnon. That effort helped push the Canada Industrial Relations Board to announce on Tuesday that it will impose final binding arbitration to resolve labour disputes at ports in British Columbia, Montreal and Quebec.

This decision will swiftly end disruptions and resume port operations, while extending current collective agreements until new ones are finalized.

“As an Island economy, we need our supply chains to operate efficiently,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “Any disruptions can have critical impacts on businesses ability to plan with certainty.”