Some taxi drivers are arguing that cabs and limousines should be able to use the new bus-only lanes as long as they’re carrying passengers.
B.J. Roberts of Victoria Taxi has written to Greater Victoria Transit Commission chair Susan Brice on behalf of drivers, asking that the bus-lane policy be adjusted so that cabs, limousines and tour buses carrying passengers be allowed to use the lanes. (Tour buses are already permitted in the bus lanes.) The bus-priority lanes, which officially opened Nov. 5, are restricted to buses and cyclists.
Permitting taxis carrying passengers would bring Victoria’s bus-lane policy in line with policies in other cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Seattle, says Roberts, a cab driver with 50 years’ experience.
“Again, I emphasize that taxis, limos and tour buses would need to have passengers in their vehicle to qualify. Otherwise they would, along with the public in general, be subjected to the $109 fine,” Roberts says in his letter.
“It’s my belief that working together in the people-transporting industry, that together we can make this work. Buses, cars and bicycles have co-existed for decades without major problems and I can’t see any problems going forward with our suggestion,” he says.
But it doesn’t appear any changes are coming soon.
Asked for comment about the suggestion, Brice issued a statement: “Any change in that designation would require the careful consideration of all partners to ensure the lanes continue to provide the expected value.”
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, also a transit commissioner, said the idea might be something the commission considers in the future, but the first step has to be “to get the buses using the bus lanes and getting all of the cars out of them.”
“That is the first priority. Buses are the future. Bus rapid transit is the future of getting people out of town and into town more quickly,” Helps said.
Victoria’s bus-priority lanes between Fisgard Street and Tolmie Avenue went into effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on Nov. 5.
The new bus lanes operate as follows:
• Northbound — 24-7 between Pembroke Street and Tolmie Avenue; 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. only between Fisgard Street and Pembroke Street.
• Southbound — 24-7 between Tolmie Avenue and Kings Road; 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. only between Kings Road and Fisgard Street.
Motorists are allowed to enter the priority bus lanes only if making a right-hand turn within the block.
