For every community or area that does not have transit and wishes to investigate the options possible, there is a process in place to produce a feasibility study. The interested community or area formally requests a feasibility study by resolution which is subject to approval by the BC Transit Board. This study is cost shared 50/50 between the community and BC Transit and is carried out by BC Transit staff.

In cooperation with Municipal staff and local agencies, BC Transit prepares a concept plan which reviews the local land use patterns, transportation network, local travel demand patterns and local objectives of the study. The study provides options for transit based on the foregoing factors and public input. If approved a detailed implementation plan is prepared.

When a plan moves to implementation after approval by the municipality and the BC Transit Board of Directors, an operating company must be selected and a Transit Service Agreement (TSA) and an Annual Operating Agreement (AOA) must be approved. The TSA outlines the area to be served by transit and the responsibilities of BC Transit and the municipality in the AOA. The AOA is the contractual document which defines the responsibilities of the two funding parties and the contracted operating company. It also defines the service to be delivered, the budget and cost sharing, payment schedule, tariff and other operational requirements.

For more information on developing new transit systems in British Columbia, please contact Steve New, Vice-President, Municipal Systems Program at (250) 995-5614.