On Saturdays, shopping,

social activities and TravelChoices

keeping you informed
personal business trips
represent 80% of daily
travel compared to 50%
2006 CRD Origin
on weekdays. Destination
Household
Weekday vs. Saturday Travel Modes, 2006 Summary
60%
The findings from the 2006 CRD Origin Travel Survey
50% and Destination Travel Survey reinforce

40%
Weekday Saturday
the importance of implementing the CRD Highlights
TravelChoices Strategy. The latest travel

30% patterns show the impact of increasing

growth in the West Shore communities and
20% TravelChoices is a long-term
suburban areas. The trends are a result of
transportation strategy for the capital
10%
existing land use policies which encourage
region. Adopted by the Capital Regional
dispersed growth.
District (CRD) in 2005, it is designed to
0%
provide the region and its municipalities
Auto Driver Auto Pass Transit Walk Bike Other
In 2007, the CRD has approved new with a common vision for transportation
Weekday vs. Saturday by Purpose, 2006 initiatives that will: policy.
50%
• Fund and implement actions to make
the region’s transportation system more Ultimately, TravelChoices aims to
45%
sustainable; mitigate the impact of traffic growth
Weekday Saturday
• Improve the integration of by increasing the proportion of trips
30%
transportation and land use planning made using sustainable travel modes.

20%
10%
0%
Grade
Work Post-sec
School
Salt Spring Island travel
Salt Spring Island was included in
the study area in 2006. The Island is
home to 10,600 permanent residents.
Residents of Salt Spring make over
30,000 daily trips which translate to
fewer daily trips than the rest of the
region – 3.0 trips per person per day
Shopping/ Personal Pick-up/
Social Business Drop off
compared to 3.4. The lack of transit
services and lower population density
results in more dependency on cars.
Approximately 90% of trips are made
by car. Residents make fewer weekday
work trips, due to more home-based
businesses and more seniors living on
the Island.
and include new land use policies that
favour walking, cycling and transit;
• Introduce travel demand management
strategies in 2008; and
• Initiate projects such as the E&N Rail
Trail Project, expanded transit services
to the West Shore, the Douglas Street
Rapid Bus Corridor, and the Regional
Master Cycling Plan.
The trends also indicate the importance
of the community’s role in reducing the
impact of growth. By reducing demand for
auto trips through ride-sharing or using
other non-auto options even just once a
week, citizens can make a difference.
Key observations 2001-2006
• Daily vehicle trips increased by
10.0%
close to 60,000 while daily non-auto
trips only grew by 5,000 6.3% 6.4%
• 60% of travel growth is outside the
Urban Core (travel in downtown
Victoria is declining)
Transit
• Auto driver trips are growing at
almost twice the rate of population growth
• Transit holds onto mode share
• Fewer schools means longer trips and less walking for children
• Biking shows impressive gains
• Saturdays are busy during midday and more car-orientated
• Region’s new transportation strategy needs to be aggressively implemented
if the growth in auto usage is to be abated
With two-thirds of commuters crossing
at least one municipal boundary,
15.0%
transportation is truly a regional issue.
11.9%
2001 2006 Travel
10.0% Choices
This brochure illustrates the progress
made in achieving the TravelChoices’
5.0%
3.2% targets for 2026 by looking at how travel
2.4%
has changed over the last fi ve years and
what is driving these changes.
Walk Bike
To do that, it compares two household
travel surveys, from 2001 and 2006.
Both surveys collected information about
weekday travel. In addition, the 2006
survey looked at Saturday travel and
added Salt Spring Island to the areas
covered. The information in this leaflet is
a summary of the two surveys.

www.crd.bc.ca 6 www.crd.bc.ca 1
The 2006 CRD Travel On Saturdays we use the
Survey was expanded to automobile more, but we
include Saturday and Salt are more likely to travel
Spring Island. with family and friends.

Why we travel that we are chauffeuring people around Midday is the busiest time period
2006 Household travel Growth focuses on the west On a typical weekday only 40% of our more often. On Saturdays the majority of our travel
survey overview shore Sannich
travel is for work or school. The rest of (53%) happens during the midday (9 am
During the fall of 2006, 5,400 randomly Between 2001 and 2006, the CRD Peninsula our trips are for shopping, social and Saturday travel to 3 pm), while on a weekday the midday
selected households participated population grew by less than 5% (345,000 West Shore
recreational activities, personal business On a typical Saturday, we make the same period accounts for 36% of travel. We
in the CRD Travel Survey, which to 360,000), while households grew by Urban and picking up or dropping off people. number of trips as on a weekday (1.24 also enjoy a more leisurely start to
Core
collected daily travel information for 7% (146,000 to 156,000). However, much The most significant change since 2001 is million), but when, how and why we travel the day, as the morning (6 am to 9 am)
all household members for a typical of this growth was concentrated on the is quite different. accounts for only 6% of our Saturday
weekday and a typical Saturday. West Shore, while the Urban Core and trips (on weekdays the morning period
In 2001, a similar survey of 2,600 the Saanich Peninsula experienced accounts for 19% of daily travel).
households was conducted for significantly lower growth rates. Weekday Trip Purposes, 2006
weekdays only. The following results More car trips on Saturdays
Pick-up/
Bike, 3% Work, 28%
of these surveys provide the CRD Population and Households On Saturdays we use the automobile
drop off, 12%
with information to monitor travel Population Households more, but we are more likely to travel
trends and assess the effectiveness 2006 chg from 01 2006 chg from 01 with family and friends. This means
of transport improvements and Saanich Pen 42,600 1,300 17,300 600 higher auto occupancies (1.48 Saturday
programs aimed at reducing our Urban Core 237,300 6,500 107,600 4,700 vs. 1.32 weekday) but almost the same
dependence on the automobile. West Shore 80,600 7,700 30,900 4,300 number of automobiles on the road. As
Total 360,500 15,500 155,800 9,600 Personal Post-sec, 3% Saturday destinations are less routine,
Changes in Key Weekday Travel Characteristics
Business, 18% we are not as likely to use sustainable
for CRD residents, 2001-2006 Grade School, 9%
Saanich Peninsula - Sidney, North Saanich, Central Saanich modes such as transit, walking and
Urban Core - Saanich, Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal Shopping / Social, biking. Transit services also operate at
Population 5% West Shore - Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, Highlands, Sooke, Juan de Fuca, Cow A,B,C 30% reduced frequency on a Saturday which
Households 7% affects the attractiveness of this mode.
Changes in Weekday Daily Trips 2001-2006
Total Trips 7% 30%
Population and Housing Growth by Subregion 2001-2006 Saturdays are for shopping, social
Trips per Person 3% 20%
25% activities and personal business
Trips per Hhld 1%
20% On Saturdays, shopping, social activities
Auto Driver Trips 9% 15% and personal business trips represent
Pop Hhld 15%
Auto Passenger Trips 6%
80% of daily travel, compared to 50% on
10% 10% weekdays. As many of these trips are
Transit Trips 8%
made during the midday, congestion
Bike Trips 43%
5%
can be quite bad around our favourite
5%
-10% Walk Trips 0% shopping districts.
Car km 8% -5%
0%
Work Post-sec Grade Shopping/ Personal Pick-up/
Saanich Pen Urban Core West Shore Total School Social Business Drop off

www.crd.bc.ca 2 www.crd.bc.ca 5
 Cycling saw an
impressive 40%
increase since 2001.

How we get around
the region
In 2006, CRD residents made 1.24 million
trips on a typical weekday, averaging 3.4
trips per person. Since 2001, the overall
number of trips made by residents
increased by 80,000 (+7%), slightly higher
than the population growth (+5%), but in-
line with household growth (+7%).
Compared to 2001, we are seeing more
single occupancy vehicles on the road.
Transit trips grew by 8% under a difficult
funding period, biking saw dramatic
gains (+43%), but walking was down by
almost 10%.
Today, almost 80% of resident trips are
made by car (driver and passenger),
followed by walking (10%), transit
(6.4%) and bike (3.2%). This is below the
2026 Travel Choices targets of 15% for
walking, 10% transit and 5% bike.
Weekday Mode Share, 2006
Other, 2%
Bike, 3%
Bike, 3%
Walk, 10%
Transit, 6%
Auto Pass, 19%
Commuters are car-pooling less
Car-pooling for work has declined, with
only 6% of commuters choosing to car-
pool, down from 9% in 2001. An increase
in suburban work locations is driving
this change. Overall, car occupancy has
only dropped slightly due to increases for
other trip purposes.
Transit continues to hold mode share
Despite a declining trend of transit
service hours since 2001, transit pass
programs like U-Pass and Youth Pass
and higher campus parking costs
(doubled at UVic since 2001), have
encouraged more students to take
transit. Increasing fuel prices may have
also encouraged more transit ridership.
In 2006, 9% of grade school children
took transit (up from 5% in 2001), while
post-secondary mode share also grew
from 34% to 45%. The transit mode share
for work has remained stable at 8%, but
residents are using transit less for all
other purposes.
Daily Trips and Mode Shares
Total Trips
2001 2006
Auto Driver 673,500 732,000
Auto Pass 223,800 237,800
Transit 73,300 79,100
Walk 137,500 124,200
Bike 28,200 40,200
Fewer schools means less walking for
children
Since 2003, the Greater Victoria School
District (GVSD) has closed 11 out of 150
schools reducing the options for students
of where to attend school while many
students cross school district boundaries
to attend French immersion schools.
These trends have resulted in longer
journeys to school, which means less
walking. In 2006, 25% of children walked
to school, down from 37% in 2001. The
majority of these children are now being
driven to school (47% vs. 40% in 2001).
The use of transit, biking and school
buses by students has also increased.
Biking is up!
While representing a smaller percentage
of total trips, biking saw impressive
gains, increasing from 2.4% to 3.2% of
daily travel (more than a 40% increase).
Significant improvements and expansion
to the regional cycling network are
helping to popularize this mode.
Mode Share TravelChoices
2001 2006 Targets 2026
58.2% 59.0%
19.3% 19.2%
6.3% 6.4% 10%
11.9% 10.0% 15%
2.4% 3.2% 5%

Auto Driver, 59% Other 21,100 27,700 1.8% 2.2%

Total 1,157,400 1,241,000 100% 100%

www.crd.bc.ca 3
 Travel between the
West Shore and
Urban Core has
increased by almost
10,000 daily trips.

Where do we go? Travel in downtown Victoria is made entirely within the downtown
On a weekday in 2006, 65% of all travel declining have dropped by more than 10%.
was made within the Urban Core as this Travel to and from Downtown Victoria This is because fewer residents are
area accounts for two-thirds of the CRD has declined by 5% since 2001 as walking around downtown to work,
population and many jobs. new suburban office parks and malls shops, restaurants and other forms of
attract workers and shoppers. Trips entertainment.
Trips to and from the Urban Core have
the highest transit mode share, ranging
Total Daily Trips Between Sectors, 2006
from 5% to 8%, while transit shares 800,000
SP: Saanich Peninsula
between other sectors are less than 2%.
UC: Urban Core
600,000
WS: West Shore
Suburban travel on the rise
400,000
Since 2001, we are seeing more suburban
travel, with 60% of the travel growth
200,000
involving an origin or destination outside
the Urban Core. This is due to high 0
population and employment growth on SP - UC SP - WS SP - SP UC - WS UC - UC WS - WS

the West Shore. While the Peninsula Transit Mode Share Between Sectors, 2006
has not experienced the same level of 10%

population growth, employment centres,

8%
such as the Vancouver Island Technology
Park and Keating Industrial Park, have 6%

generated more travel in this area. These 4%

areas have very low transit usage due
2%
to limited transit services and more
scattered, car-oriented development. 0%
SP - UC SP - WS SP - SP UC - WS UC - UC WS - WS

Trans Canada Highway is getting Growth in Trips Between Sectors, 2001-2006

40,000
worse!
Travel between the West Shore and
30,000
Urban Core has increased by almost
10,000 daily trips. As most of these
20,000
trips use the Trans Canada Highway,
congestion is getting worse in this 10,000
corridor.
0
SP - UC SP - WS SP - SP UC - WS UC - UC WS - WS

www.crd.bc.ca 4
The 2006 CRD Travel On Saturdays we use the
Survey was expanded to automobile more, but we
include Saturday and Salt are more likely to travel
Spring Island. with family and friends.

Why we travel that we are chauffeuring people around Midday is the busiest time period
2006 Household travel Growth focuses on the west On a typical weekday only 40% of our more often. On Saturdays the majority of our travel
survey overview shore Sannich
travel is for work or school. The rest of (53%) happens during the midday (9 am
During the fall of 2006, 5,400 randomly Between 2001 and 2006, the CRD Peninsula our trips are for shopping, social and Saturday travel to 3 pm), while on a weekday the midday
selected households participated population grew by less than 5% (345,000 West Shore
recreational activities, personal business On a typical Saturday, we make the same period accounts for 36% of travel. We
in the CRD Travel Survey, which to 360,000), while households grew by Urban and picking up or dropping off people. number of trips as on a weekday (1.24 also enjoy a more leisurely start to
Core
collected daily travel information for 7% (146,000 to 156,000). However, much The most significant change since 2001 is million), but when, how and why we travel the day, as the morning (6 am to 9 am)
all household members for a typical of this growth was concentrated on the is quite different. accounts for only 6% of our Saturday
weekday and a typical Saturday. West Shore, while the Urban Core and trips (on weekdays the morning period
In 2001, a similar survey of 2,600 the Saanich Peninsula experienced accounts for 19% of daily travel).
households was conducted for significantly lower growth rates. Weekday Trip Purposes, 2006
weekdays only. The following results More car trips on Saturdays
Pick-up/
Bike, 3% Work, 28%
of these surveys provide the CRD Population and Households On Saturdays we use the automobile
drop off, 12%
with information to monitor travel Population Households more, but we are more likely to travel
trends and assess the effectiveness 2006 chg from 01 2006 chg from 01 with family and friends. This means
of transport improvements and Saanich Pen 42,600 1,300 17,300 600 higher auto occupancies (1.48 Saturday
programs aimed at reducing our Urban Core 237,300 6,500 107,600 4,700 vs. 1.32 weekday) but almost the same
dependence on the automobile. West Shore 80,600 7,700 30,900 4,300 number of automobiles on the road. As
Total 360,500 15,500 155,800 9,600 Personal Post-sec, 3% Saturday destinations are less routine,
Changes in Key Weekday Travel Characteristics
Business, 18% we are not as likely to use sustainable
for CRD residents, 2001-2006 Grade School, 9%
Saanich Peninsula - Sidney, North Saanich, Central Saanich modes such as transit, walking and
Urban Core - Saanich, Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal Shopping / Social, biking. Transit services also operate at
Population 5% West Shore - Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, Highlands, Sooke, Juan de Fuca, Cow A,B,C 30% reduced frequency on a Saturday which
Households 7% affects the attractiveness of this mode.
Changes in Weekday Daily Trips 2001-2006
Total Trips 7% 30%
Population and Housing Growth by Subregion 2001-2006 Saturdays are for shopping, social
Trips per Person 3% 20%
25% activities and personal business
Trips per Hhld 1%
20% On Saturdays, shopping, social activities
Auto Driver Trips 9% 15% and personal business trips represent
Pop Hhld 15%
Auto Passenger Trips 6%
80% of daily travel, compared to 50% on
10% 10% weekdays. As many of these trips are
Transit Trips 8%
made during the midday, congestion
Bike Trips 43%
5%
can be quite bad around our favourite
5%
-10% Walk Trips 0% shopping districts.
Car km 8% -5%
0%
Work Post-sec Grade Shopping/ Personal Pick-up/
Saanich Pen Urban Core West Shore Total School Social Business Drop off

www.crd.bc.ca 2 www.crd.bc.ca 5
 On Saturdays, shopping,
social activities and TravelChoices
keeping you informed
personal business trips
represent 80% of daily
travel compared to 50%
2006 CRD Origin
on weekdays. Destination
Household
Weekday vs. Saturday Travel Modes, 2006 Summary
60%
The findings from the 2006 CRD Origin Travel Survey
50% and Destination Travel Survey reinforce

40%
Weekday Saturday
the importance of implementing the CRD Highlights
TravelChoices Strategy. The latest travel

30% patterns show the impact of increasing

growth in the West Shore communities and
20% TravelChoices is a long-term
suburban areas. The trends are a result of
transportation strategy for the capital
10%
existing land use policies which encourage
region. Adopted by the Capital Regional
dispersed growth.
District (CRD) in 2005, it is designed to
0%
provide the region and its municipalities
Auto Driver Auto Pass Transit Walk Bike Other
In 2007, the CRD has approved new with a common vision for transportation
Weekday vs. Saturday by Purpose, 2006 initiatives that will: policy.
50%
• Fund and implement actions to make
the region’s transportation system more Ultimately, TravelChoices aims to
45%
sustainable; mitigate the impact of traffic growth
Weekday Saturday
• Improve the integration of by increasing the proportion of trips
30%
transportation and land use planning made using sustainable travel modes.

20%
10%
0%
Grade
Work Post-sec
School
Salt Spring Island travel
Salt Spring Island was included in
the study area in 2006. The Island is
home to 10,600 permanent residents.
Residents of Salt Spring make over
30,000 daily trips which translate to
fewer daily trips than the rest of the
region – 3.0 trips per person per day
Shopping/ Personal Pick-up/
Social Business Drop off
compared to 3.4. The lack of transit
services and lower population density
results in more dependency on cars.
Approximately 90% of trips are made
by car. Residents make fewer weekday
work trips, due to more home-based
businesses and more seniors living on
the Island.
and include new land use policies that
favour walking, cycling and transit;
• Introduce travel demand management
strategies in 2008; and
• Initiate projects such as the E&N Rail
Trail Project, expanded transit services
to the West Shore, the Douglas Street
Rapid Bus Corridor, and the Regional
Master Cycling Plan.
The trends also indicate the importance
of the community’s role in reducing the
impact of growth. By reducing demand for
auto trips through ride-sharing or using
other non-auto options even just once a
week, citizens can make a difference.
Key observations 2001-2006
• Daily vehicle trips increased by
10.0%
close to 60,000 while daily non-auto
trips only grew by 5,000 6.3% 6.4%
• 60% of travel growth is outside the
Urban Core (travel in downtown
Victoria is declining)
Transit
• Auto driver trips are growing at
almost twice the rate of population growth
• Transit holds onto mode share
• Fewer schools means longer trips and less walking for children
• Biking shows impressive gains
• Saturdays are busy during midday and more car-orientated
• Region’s new transportation strategy needs to be aggressively implemented
if the growth in auto usage is to be abated
With two-thirds of commuters crossing
at least one municipal boundary,
15.0%
transportation is truly a regional issue.
11.9%
2001 2006 Travel
10.0% Choices
This brochure illustrates the progress
made in achieving the TravelChoices’
5.0%
3.2% targets for 2026 by looking at how travel
2.4%
has changed over the last fi ve years and
what is driving these changes.
Walk Bike
To do that, it compares two household
travel surveys, from 2001 and 2006.
Both surveys collected information about
weekday travel. In addition, the 2006
survey looked at Saturday travel and
added Salt Spring Island to the areas
covered. The information in this leaflet is
a summary of the two surveys.

www.crd.bc.ca 6 www.crd.bc.ca 1