Southern Gulf Islands Transportation Integration
New: SGI Transportation Integration Plan; Appendix A- Public Engagement Summary; SGI Active Transportation Plan
About the SGI Transportation Referendum
Galiano Community Bus (2017-2019)
The Capital Regional District (CRD) will have a referendum question on the ballot for the general election of October 15, 2022. The referendum will ask voters if they are in favour of establishing an integrated transportation service for the Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area, funded by a maximum tax requisition of $675 000 or $14.10 per $100,000 of assessed property value ($0.1414 per $1,000). Click here for more information about Proposed Establishment Bylaw 4484, and the referendum question.
How Will the Funding Be Used?
Pender Island Community Trail
The funding will be used to directly support local transportation groups with grants so they can offer right sized solutions for trails and community bus service. The funding will pay for staff to seek additional infrastructure funding and provide continuity of coordination and administration. The service will be accompanied by the establishment of an SGI Transportation Commission, with representation from each island, as well as representation by stakeholders in each of the three transportation modes. Ultimately, the Commission would be responsible for proposing service priorities and budget allocations, which would require approval by the CRD Board and be implemented by staff and partner transportation groups. The Commission will be able to shift priorities and allocations to best fit community needs and opportunities.
What’s It All About?

The primary objective of an SGI transportation service would be to provide financial and coordination support to locally led active transportation and community transit initiatives. It would also provide some support for partnerships to improve inter-island travel between the islands (beyond BC Ferries).This project was initiated at the request of island residents, organizations, and the SGI Community Economic Sustainability Commission (CESC), who asked the CRD to support the community buses and provide transportation alternatives within the Southern Gulf Islands: Galiano, Mayne, Saturna and North & South Pender Islands (SGI).
Why is the CRD Proposing this Service?

What Have Islanders Said?

- Better connect island communities.
- Provide alternatives to single occupancy vehicles and reduce car dependency.
- Provide low-income populations more affordable travel options.
- Better enable seniors and youth the ability to travel safely and independently.
- Support sustainability goals in the SGI.
To better understand some of the road safety issues in the SGI, read this Driftwood article which discusses the first-hand experiences of cyclists in the neighbouring Salt Spring Island Electoral Area.
You can read more details of the extensive community engagement process in Watt’s final report, the SGI Transportation Integration Plan and Appendix A- Public Engagement Summary.
How Do I Learn More?
See Background Resources on the right, and check out the resources below:
- Read the Southern Gulf Islands Transportation Integration Plan and Appendix A- Public Engagement Summary
- Read the “What We Heard” round 2 report from our round two engagement
- Read the “What We Heard” round 1 report from our round one engagement
- Read the new Southern Gulf Islands Active Transportation Plan
- Subscribe for project updates using the ‘Stay Informed' link at the top right
- Contact us via the ‘Staff Contact’ link on the right
Active Transportation Planning

In tandem with this Transportation Integration Plan, the Capital Regional District developed a Southern Gulf Islands Active Transportation Plan that builds on existing mapping work completed for Galiano, Mayne, Saturna, and the Pender Islands, including the CRD Regional Parks’ proposed spine trails and trails managed by CRD local Parks and Recreation Commissions as well local trail societies on each island.
This AT plan is intended as a resource for groups developing active transportation in the islands. If the CRD establishes an SGI Transportation Service, the future SGI Transportation Commission can consider a strategic plan for implementation, and start exploring how to fund it with infrastructure grants from other levels of government. The maps are living documents, and the future SGI Transportation Commission will have the opportunity to update them as needed.