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November 7, 2022
Transportation agencies offer complimentary fares for veterans on Remembrance Day
BRITISH COLUMBIA – To thank retired and active military personnel and commemorate Remembrance Day, BC Transit, BC Ferries and TransLink will be offering free fares for veterans on November 11, 2022.
For BC Transit, all scheduled routes and handyDART services in the Victoria Regional Transit System will be free for all riders in uniform, active, retired and cadets, as well as those with Army, Navy or Air Force Association cards. BC Transit supports those bus drivers who choose to safely stop their bus at 11 a.m. to observe the traditional minute of silence in memory of those who gave their lives and service in times of war. BC Transit will be operating on a standard Sunday schedule in Victoria.
BC Ferries is offering complimentary passenger fares for customers presenting official Canadian military identification or travelling in uniform. BC Ferries notes that these free fares are not applicable on the Inside Passage, Haida Gwaii and Central Coast Connector routes.
All Canadian flags on BC Ferries’ vessels will fly at half-mast on Remembrance Day in respect of veterans and active military personnel. Two minutes of silence will occur at 11 a.m. on ships and at terminals.
In addition, BC Ferries is providing free passenger travel for British Columbia’s seniors on Remembrance Day with the presentation of a BC Services Card, BC Driver’s License or BC Identification Card. BC Ferries offers complimentary passenger travel to B.C. seniors from Monday through Thursday, except on provincial holidays. Remembrance Day is included for complimentary travel, however, in recognition of B.C. senior’s valuable contributions to the province.
TransLink is offering free transit on all services, including HandyDART, to veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces, police and fire departments, Canadian Coast Guard, and BC Ambulance Service.
Veterans and other eligible customers can ride buses for free all day without tapping their Compass Cards. SkyTrain and SeaBus service will be free for eligible customers from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and one accessible fare gate will be left open at all stations during these times to accommodate.
TransLink encourages customers to take transit to Remembrance Day Ceremonies around Metro Vancouver.
- Holiday fares will be in effect (1-Zone fare to travel across all zones).
- Bus, SkyTrain, and SeaBus services will operate on a Sunday/holiday schedule.
- West Coast Express will not be operating.
- The TransLink Customer Service Centre, Access Transit Customer Care Office, and Lost Property Office will be closed.
SkyTrain, SeaBus, and buses will observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. (buses will stop at nearest stop closest to the hour) across the transit system.
Travel the Coast Car Fee
TransLink customers can get direct access to and from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal on the 620 bus at Bridgeport Station on the Canada Line. For travelers heading to and from the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, the 257 and 250 buses offer service to and from downtown Vancouver. TransLink will continue to monitor capacity and add additional buses as required.
BC Transit provides direct routes to and from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal from downtown Victoria on buses 70, 71, and 72.
Walk-on ferry passengers can make free reservations to avoid sailing waits when travelling on BC Ferries’ routes connecting Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island, as well as Tsawwassen and the Southern Gulf Islands.
The three transportation agencies hope this service provides those that served our country a transportation option to recognize Remembrance Day events in their region. For more information, visit bctransit.com/Victoria, bcferries.com or @BCFerries on Twitter or translink.ca/remembrance.
Media contacts:
BC TransitCommunications
250-880-1303
media@bctransit.com
BC Ferries
Media Relations
Victoria: 250-978-1267
TransLink
Media Relations
E: media@translink.ca