010306111855<strong>BC</strong> <strong>Transit</strong> <strong>2008</strong>/<strong>09</strong> Annual ReportTable of ContentsMessage from the ChairAccountability StatementOrganization OverviewScopeServicesGovernance and Board ActivityThe Year’s AccomplishmentsRenewal and GrowthPerformance ReportGoals, Targets and ResultsProgress Against Shareholder’s Letter of ExpectationsFinancial ReportPerformance SummaryManagement Discussion and AnalysisReport of ManagementAuditor’s Report<strong>BC</strong> <strong>Transit</strong> Financial StatementsAppendicesA1 Victoria Regional <strong>Transit</strong> System PerformanceA2 Municipal Systems Program PerformanceA3 Comparison to Industry BenchmarksA4 GlossaryA5 Contact InformationA6 Map of <strong>BC</strong> <strong>Transit</strong> Systems
Message from the Chairto the Minister ResponsibleA Message from the ChairMore and more British Columbians turned to <strong>BC</strong> <strong>Transit</strong> in<strong>2008</strong>/<strong>09</strong> as transit service was expanded and introduced in anumber of communities throughout the province. A total of47.6 million customers, up 6.5 per cent from 2007/08, used<strong>BC</strong> <strong>Transit</strong> to travel to work, school, health facilities, runerrands, or visit friends and family.Following a six per cent increase in 2007/08, service levels in<strong>2008</strong>/<strong>09</strong> were increased by an additional 10 per cent. All partsof the province benefited including Comox Valley, Nanaimo,Victoria, Smithers, Williams Lake, Prince George, Shuswap,Fort St John, Quesnel, Vernon, Kelowna and Salt Spring Island.As part of the expanded service, two new inter-regionalcommuter services were introduced connecting Vernon toUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan in Kelowna, andDuncan to downtown Victoria. Within these communitiespartnerships with local governments, post-secondaryinstitutions, and local heath authorities were enhanced.While the average increase in ridership was just under sevenper cent, there were dramatic ridership increases in certaincommunities. For example, conventional bus ridership inPrince George was up 15.6 per cent (1.5 million), while PowellRiver and Vernon recorded increases of 25.5 per cent (205,000)and 19.1 per cent (372,100) respectively.In addition to service expansion, <strong>BC</strong> <strong>Transit</strong>’s ProPASS andU-PASS programs, growing environmental awareness andsensitivity to fuel prices all contributed to the increases inridership across the province.Over the past year, our bus fleet grew from 860 to 958 busesand included the introduction of North America’s first hybriddouble-deck bus. As part of the Province’s environmentalinitiative, we are proceeding with the hydrogen fuel cell busdemonstration project. These buses will be used duringand after the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.Preparation for the Games continued in full force to ensurethe successful delivery of service to support thousands ofworkers, spectators and residents in Whistler, Squamishand Pemberton.In partnership with the Ministry of Transportation andInfrastructure and our local partners, long-term transitplanning processes for Victoria, Kelowna, and the CentralFraser Valley were initiated during the year to help guide<strong>BC</strong> <strong>Transit</strong>’s long-term investments in these important andrapidly growing service areas.<strong>BC</strong> <strong>Transit</strong> also restructured its resources to better positionitself to meet the goals set out in the Provincial <strong>Transit</strong>and Climate Action Plans. This top-to-bottom renewal of<strong>BC</strong> <strong>Transit</strong> was evident in a bold, contemporary new brandand livery that is now being applied to all new buses as wellas older buses during their mid-life upgrades.Looking ahead, there will be challenges. Today, fuel represents18 per cent of total operating costs, up from eight per centjust a few years ago. To reduce the impact of price uncertaintyand support the environment, <strong>BC</strong> <strong>Transit</strong> will continue toinvestigate and introduce more fuel efficient technologiesand other strategies. Other costs, such as maintenance andlabour, will rise as the size of our fleet and the level of serviceexpands. The economic slow down may adversely affectridership in certain communities; however, overall ridership isprojected to continue to increase.The success in <strong>2008</strong>/<strong>09</strong> is attributed to the collective hardwork of <strong>BC</strong> <strong>Transit</strong>’s employees, our local partners, suppliersand the support of our valued customers. In 20<strong>09</strong>/10, aspublic demand for transit increases steadily across theprovince, <strong>BC</strong> <strong>Transit</strong> is prepared to face the challenges,welcome new opportunities and continue to meet ourcorporate objectives and climate action goals.Kevin MahoneyChair1<strong>BC</strong> TRANSIT <strong>2008</strong>/<strong>09</strong> <strong>ANNUAL</strong> <strong>REPORT</strong>
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