From water taxis to car co-ops, discover how 13 funded projects improved transportation for residents on Vancouver Island and coastal B.C.
The Hali’wud Water Taxi, operated by Ḵwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Ha̱xwa’mis First Nations-owned T̓seḵa̱me’ Forestry LP, serves as a vital link for the residents of G̱wa’yasda̱m’s (Gwa-yas-dums) and surrounding communities on North Vancouver Island and throughout the Broughton Archipelago. It might seem like a simple mode of transportation. The 29-foot, 12-passenger Daigle crew boat offers regular service between G̱wa’yasda̱m’s, Port McNeill, ’Ya̱ lis (Alert Bay), and Ukwanalis (Kingcome). Yet for the people it connects, it is much more than a taxi.
“This project was a good idea that came from the community,” says Andrea Lyall, CEO, T̓seḵa̱me’ Forestry LP, “and we made it happen. The improvements just make everything easier.”
Earlier this summer, the Hali’wud Water Taxi added a wheelchair ramp and cargo chute – two small changes with a huge impact realized through an investment from the Community Passenger Transportation Fund.
“We have already heard that customers are really happy to have the ramp,” says Lyall. “Many elders struggled to get in and out before, but now they can easily travel and join community events.”
The cargo chute, referred to locally as the ‘water cooler chute,’ makes it easier for the crew to load and unload the 18-litre water cooler jugs that G̱wa’yasda̱m’s residents rely on for drinking water. Although efforts are underway to secure a local water source on Gilford Island, the community currently has no potable tap water.
The project began when Hali’wud’s reservation agent, Gloria McAleer, saw the invitation to apply for a $20,000 investment from Island Coastal Economic Trust through the Community Passenger Transportation Fund. Established as a result of the August 2023 Island Coastal Inter-Community Transportation “What We Heard Report”, this one-time $230,000 fund was led by the Trust, who invited Vancouver Island Economic Alliance to partner on community engagement and project selection. It enabled 13 projects across the region, with the funding provided to the Trust by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The fund empowered projects that enhanced the ability of residents and visitors within communities on Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and parts of coastal B.C., to access inter-community transportation within four specific objectives:
- Strengthen passenger transportation governance and collaboration.
- Broaden regional partnerships on inter-community passenger transportation.
- Expand or enhance inter-community passenger transportation services, especially in rural and remote communities.
- Create and/or expand innovative and non-traditional passenger transportation opportunities.
The 13 successful projects were located across the Trust’s region, including new and expanding inter-community bus routes, a marine shuttle pilot initiative, and an expanding car cooperative, among other initiatives.
The Coast Car Co-op already owned two pickup trucks and three smaller cars, including two Toyota Prius hybrids. The vehicles are located across the Sunshine Coast, with three vehicles stationed in Gibsons, a pickup in Roberts Creek, and, until recently, a single vehicle in Sechelt. Through the Community Passenger Transportation Fund, the co-op acquired a new vehicle that helped expand in a growing market.
“This second vehicle in Sechelt helps lift access and reduces the burden of ‘unavailable cars’ when 2 people are seeking access at the same time,” said Johan Stroman, Board Member, Coast Car Co-Op, “so this is critical to growing reach and access in the community.”
This expansion wasn’t just about increasing services, but also providing a pathway to reduce dependency on car ownership and lower overall environmental impact.
“We are very excited to add car six,” said Stroman, “as this vehicle now makes our fleet 50% hybrid. This means that drivers are using 4L to 100km when driving – which creates much less greenhouse emissions in the process than average vehicles.”
The co-op is a 100% member-owned, not-for-profit car-sharing service that provides an affordable and sustainable alternative to traditional car ownership. Members must meet basic eligibility guidelines, fill in an application, request driving records from ICBC, and attend a 20-minute orientation. The fixed costs include a $400 refundable share in the co-op ($800 for businesses) and a $25 registration fee. Vehicle fees average $5 to $7 per hour booked plus $0.35 per kilometre that includes the cost of fuel and insurance – and a daily cap of $100 on full-day bookings (with included km).
“We strive to make potential members aware of the savings,” says Stroman. “Roughly 50 shorter (1-1.5 hour) trips annually wind up costing under $600. That’s about half the insurance cost, let alone fuel and maintenance costs of owning your own vehicle.”
As an added benefit, all Coast Car Co-op Members also gain access to Modo cars on Vancouver Island and in Vancouver.
In Tofino, the existing shuttle from Tofino to Long Beach, in Pacific Rim National Park, includes stops in the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation communities Esowista and Ty-Histanis. This summer, its service expanded to 11 daily round-trip services on two buses.
The bus service, which has operated since 2009, has been free since 2014. Its primary role is to provide ample transportation opportunities for tourists, alleviating traffic congestion along the coast and reducing carbon emissions; however, the increased service has also had a positive impact with Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation Members.
“Access to transportation has systemically been a barrier for community members, both for adults and our youth who want to access summer jobs,” says Iris Frank, interim Tribal Administrator, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. “It’s been extremely beneficial in terms of employment accessibility for our members. Knowing our youth now have a safe option back and forth to the communities is helpful, and it doesn’t cost them anything.”
Reported results from these Community Passenger Transportation Fund projects continue to reflect key insights from the What We Heard Report published in July 2023. By reducing the barriers to transportation and providing essential services that are both practical and sustainable, these projects have empowered residents – especially those in remote or rural areas – to access new opportunities for work, education, and recreation.
On Mayne Island, the Day Tripper program run by Mayne Island Assisted Living Society (MIALS), provided affordable, reliable trips off the island every Tuesday. This empowered residents to access essential services like medical appointments and grocery shopping in Sidney and Victoria; however, its impact stretched far beyond errands. Each trip became an opportunity to engage with the community, rediscover joy, and feel supported in times of transition. The bus service eased the burden of isolation and grief felt by seniors.
“The Day Tripper bus didn’t just move passengers across the water; it strengthened the bonds of a resilient community, ensuring that no one was left behind. It has become an essential service.” noted Jean-Daniel Cusin, Vice president of the Mayne Island Assisted Living Society.
The GERTIE bus, on Garbriola Island, also increased its service this summer to provide mid-day service on Mondays and Fridays. The bus aligns with the ferry schedule, making it easier to travel to and around Gabriola without a vehicle.
“We received funding to provide an extra service that we had unfortunately had to cut in the past,” said Helen Cook, who serves on the Gabriola Community Bus Foundation Board of Directors. “We had an increase in ridership, and we hope to find funding to continue the initiative next year.”
Other projects focused on planning future initiatives. On Quadra and Cortes Island, a personal vehicle is the only reliable means of transportation, which is neither affordable nor accessible to many residents. With funding from the Community Passenger Transportation Fund, the Cortes Community Economic Development Organization led broad public consultations, which included a survey, in-person and virtual community meetings, focus groups and stakeholder interviews to inform recommendations for passenger transportation. The project identified priority services and the organization is currently fundraising for a pilot service to test the top-recommended options, which included a bus loop on Quadra Island, a shuttle van on Cortes, and ride-hailing/taxi or ride-sharing opportunities on both islands.
All 13 projects are now either completed or in their final stages. While statistics show the success of these projects across the region, it’s the personal stories—like those shared by Iris Frank and Jean-Daniel Cusin – that truly capture the transformative impact of these transportation initiatives. These projects have connected communities, empowered residents, and reduced barriers to essential services.
The hope is that their success will now inspire similar initiatives across other coastal communities, ensuring that accessible, sustainable transportation continues to be a priority.
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Island Coastal Economic Trust invested up to $20,000 in 13 projects through a one-time $230,000 Community Passenger Transportation Fund provided by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. The Trust partnered with the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance on engagements throughout Vancouver Island and the coast to produce the Island Coastal Intercommunity Transportation “What We Heard Report” and to review proposals and select eligible projects for the Fund. The 13 projects, which all took place throughout 2024, created new services, undertook planning, expanded services, and moved infrastructure projects forward. The funding was administered by MNP on behalf of the Province of BC.
Read the original project announcement to learn more about the initiative and to find an overview of all 13 projects.
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