The BC NDP has pledged to make public transit free for low-income seniors and improve a number of bus routes across the province.
Leader David Eby made the announcement in Surrey, where he also vowed to give Surrey its own charter á la Vancouver.
BC NDP leader David Eby commits to providing free public transit for low-income seniors and delivering Bus Rapid Transit between Surrey and White Rock. pic.twitter.com/vRWE0xxQk1
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) October 15, 2026
"Seniors in the Lower Mainland rely on transit disproportionately," Eby said, noting that the current low-income pass costs $45 per month. "While for some British Columbians that might not seem like a lot of money, for some British Columbians that is a huge amount of money — and that is a big deal."
He went on to explain that, if re-elected, a BC NDP government would eliminate the $45 fee and work with TransLink to raise the income threshold so more seniors can qualify.
Eby then announced his intention to help deliver Bus Rapid Transit between Surrey and White Rock via $250 million in funding to assist the municipalities, which are already planning for the new route.
The BC NDP also vowed to connect people to the new hospital in the Cowichan Valley by bus as part of a $40 million per year funding injection to BC Transit.
"When the new hospital opens next year it will mean people in Cowichan Valley will have expanded access to healthcare that is close to home," Cowichan Valley candidate Debra Toporowski said. "But we need to make sure our infrastructure keeps pace with the growing communities and services."
