Salt Spring Island residents planning to take the bus on Canada Day will find their transit running on a reduced Sunday schedule, with regular fares still in effect. BC Transit says the holiday schedule applies Wednesday, July 1, 2026, meaning less frequent service than a typical weekday across all local routes.
While many other communities in the province are offering free rides to help people celebrate safely, Salt Spring Island is not among them. Adult single rides will cost $2.75, after a fare increase that took effect on May 2, 2026, and a DayPASS will be $5.50. This is the first fare hike since 2012 for single rides, and the first increase for monthly passes since 2008.
For context, BC Transit lists Campbell River, Chilliwack, Comox Valley, Kamloops, Kitimat, and Penticton as some of the places where buses will be free on the holiday. Salt Spring Island takes a different approach, sticking with its standard practice for statutory holidays. Most holidays here get Sunday-level service, except for Easter Monday when buses run as usual, and Christmas and New Year’s Day when there is no service at all.
Riders heading to the ferry terminals should plan ahead. The island has three ferry connections at Fulford Harbour, Long Harbour, and Vesuvius, all linked to downtown Ganges by bus. Along with the limited schedule, recent route adjustments on June 25, 2026, tweaked timetables on Routes 2, 3, and 4 to better line up with ferry arrivals and departures. Also on that day, Route 9 service to Ruckle Park returned for the summer season.
The Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission, which advises BC Transit on local service, oversees the transit system. It was established in 2023 after a community vote, replacing the former transportation commission. Transit is funded partly through property taxes and partly through fares.
