VICTORIA – Students in two British Columbia communities will soon be able to ride transit for free.

Victoria and Whistler have announced programs to provide free local transit passes to young people.

Both initiatives will be financed by higher parking fees.

Costs in Victoria will be offset by funds raised through Sunday parking fees imposed earlier this year, while Whistler is boosting monthly rates at the resort municipality’s three day-parking lots.

Passes for Victoria youth aged 12 to 19 can be picked up next month and are valid until August 2020, while a statement from Whistler says all local secondary students are eligible for its pilot project which begins early next year.

Saanich Coun. Susan Brice, a member of the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, says Victoria’s pass initiative will cost just over $700,000, while Whistler will raise funds through a $10 increase to the $50 price of a monthly day-lot pass.

Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton says in a statement that he urged students attending last month’s climate change march in the municipality to take action by using buses rather than cars.

“(Whistler’s) overall goal is to help create a generation that regularly chooses transit as their primary mode of travel,” the statement says.

(The Canadian Press, CTV)

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2019.