June 28 - New e-buses are on the way

Good morning !

Since the summer solstice just over a week ago, we haven’t yet had a truly hot summery kind of day. But it’s coming. Hang in there.
Something else coming soon is a small fleet of electric buses. Six of them will be picking up passengers in Victoria come Monday.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 18 / 11 

Tomorrow: ☀️ 19 / 13

Monday: ☀️ 19 / 13

NEWS

6 new BC Transit e-buses hitting Victoria streets Monday

If you notice a quieter-than-usual bus pass by in the coming days, it’s likely one of 10 new electric buses expected in Victoria by the fall.

“We have eight buses so far, and six of those will go into service starting Monday,” BC Transit spokesperson Tessa Humphries tells Capital Daily. 

“Based on the planned summer schedule, we expect electric buses to run on common routes such as: 14 Vic General/UVic, 15 Esquimalt/UVic, 27 Gordon Head/Downtown, and 28 Majestic/Downtown.”

The other buses are anticipated to go into service later this fall, she said.

“Electric buses are a smart investment for the future of the region,” said Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, who is also vice-chair of the Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC). 

“They align with Victoria’s climate goals by reducing emissions and improving air quality for everyone in our community.”

Company’s bankruptcy delayed e-bus debut

The first of BC Transit’s new e-bus fleet arrived in April, following a delay when the original supplier filed for bankruptcy protection.

Momentum to acquire 10 environmentally friendlier buses began to build in 2019, when the federal and provincial governments announced $79M+ in joint funding to buy 118 new buses for the province. 

In July 2023, the feds, province, and BC Transit announced $395.5M in additional funding to buy 115 battery electric buses (BEBs) and install 134 charging stations.

The following month, US-based Proterra announced it was seeking Chapter 11 protection, forcing the transportation authority to shift gears in its bid to build an electric fleet by 2040.

BC Transit eventually landed on two Canadian companies, New Flyer and Nova Bus, to fill out what became a 125-vehicle order. 

80 e-buses planned to roll out across BC by end of 2026

BC Transit says it is working toward a zero-emissions fleet but will continue to buy a variety of buses, including some 105 hybrid vehicles.

Victoria’s new vehicles are quieter than regular buses and more energy efficient than the diesel models, and collectively, they are expected to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 95%, BC Transit said.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Property taxes are due on Wednesday for Victoria homeowners.

No swimming: Willows Beach in Oak Bay was added to Island Health’s advisory list this week, with high bacteria levels detected in the water. [Island Health]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

If you want to get the full Sunday newsletter tomorrow, sign up to become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

Southern Residents not seen in over 8 weeks—and the 2021 heat dome could be to blame

The whales are typically drawing oohs and awws from May through October in the Salish Sea, but this year they haven’t been seen since April 29. 

In April, the Orca Behaviour Institute (OBI) said there was a boom in sightings of both Southern Residents and Bigg’s orcas in early 2025. Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) from J-Pod and K-Pod, and two whales from L-Pod, were seen in the first three months of this year. They were seen 23 times in March alone, which OBI said was “a hopeful sign” that they were finding lots of food.

But now, during their usual season in Island waters, the SRKW are no-shows. It’s believed they’re currently swimming off the far western end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. OBI says the whales’ patterns have started to change over the last 10 to 15 years. J-Pod whales—the pod most likely to hang around the Salish Sea all summer—are particularly likely these days to make a “spring exodus,” says the group.

High heat hampered orcas’ fish food source

OBI says the last time the SRKWs were gone this long was 2021—the year of the deadly heat dome. Earlier this month, another conservation group, the Orca Conservancy, wrote on social media that this year’s missing orcas could be connected to that same damaging weather event four years ago. 

“Most Pacific salmon species, including Chinook, follow a 4-5 year lifecycle, meaning the salmon returning in 2025 were born during the extreme heatwave of 2021—a year when high river temperatures killed many spawning adults, and those that did spawn produced fewer surviving young due to warm, low rivers that stressed eggs, fry, and outmigrating juveniles.”

The 2025 numbers for Chinook salmon—the favourite food of SRKW—have not been counted yet, but researchers are now expecting the data to reflect the effects of 2021. This comes at a time when one-third of the SRKW population is in “poor body condition,” according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, sparking further concern for the population’s (already at-risk) well-being. 

SPONSORED

STUNNING EXHIBITION AT SOTHEBY'S!

Sotheby's International Realty Canada is pleased to present Imagined Landscapes, a striking exhibition by German-Canadian visual artist Ira Hoffecker. This series of 14 oil paintings invites viewers into vivid, dreamlike environments where organic forms are transformed into abstract compositions.

Hoffecker explores the interplay between abstraction and representation through dynamic layering, subtle gradations, and sophisticated use of line and depth that evokes movement and spatial ambiguity.

Imagined Landscapes is open to the public Monday through Friday, 11am to 5pm. Admission is free. Private weekend viewings available by arrangement.

📍 Sotheby's, 752 Douglas Street, Victoria
📅 Through July 31

Don't miss this artistic revolution! Experience Hoffecker's masterful vision before July 31.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🍁 Canada Day itinerary from the City of Victoria.

🍁 Canada Day itinerary from the City of Langford.

🚲 Bike Locker parking event summer schedule.

🎆 Fireworks and summer entertainment return to The Butchart Gardens! Starting tonight, the first fireworks show begins at 10:15pm, with The Chuckleberries performing at 7:15pm.*

🦦 Snack time: A river otter munches on crayfish in Comox Valley. [Facebook video] _{*Sponsored Listing}

🗞️ In Other News

Alliance to End Homelessness to close its doors in Victoria, due to funding issues
It began 17 years ago as the Greater Victoria Commission to End Homelessness, and it brought together service providers with the goal stated in its name. Its funding comes from Island Health, the CRD, and the City of Victoria. This year, the city budgeted $100K for it—less than in previous years. Mayor Marianne Alto says Victoria is taking on some of that Alliance work directly, and shifting focus to the root causes of addiction and mental-health issues that can lead to people living on the street. [CHEK]

Oak Bay & Saanich police deal set to expire on Monday
The five-year agreement that allows Oak Bay to acquire the services of Saanich officers to investigate major crimes was first signed in 2007 and has been re-upped several times. The deal will continue during negotiations even if current talks go past Monday, OBPD Chief Julie Chanin said. [CTV]

Central Saanich triathlon cancelled due to flaggers’ cost
The Elk Lake Triathlon, run by Dynamic Race Events, was slated to take place Aug. 3. But expenses to pay for safety flaggers, a Central Saanich requirement, have gone up by at least $30K, organizers said. Last Oct., cyclist Lindsay Burgess was killed when she collided with a vehicle while competing in the Tripleshot CrossFondo race. The district told the Elk Lake Triathlon organizers to use certified traffic control workers at all intersections, regardless of who has the right of way. [Times Colonist]

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Double your donation

PHS Community Services Society needs your help. Your donations will be matched by an anonymous gift-matching donor until June 30. 

Donations will be directed to PHS' critical frontline services that care for thousands of extremely marginalized people daily who access supportive housing, healthcare, and harm reduction services in Victoria and Vancouver.

🗓️ Things to do

✏️ Animation Showcase: An evening of beautiful animated short films about the cycle of life & death by local artist Iris Moore, who will introduce her work and answer questions. Little Fernwood. Mon. 7:30-8:30pm. [Info] 

📚 Judge a Book By Its Cover Art Show: See local artists’ reimaginings of book covers now on at Colwood Arts & Culture. Opening reception tomorrow. 1-3pm. [Event schedule]

📕 Book Launch: Local author K.J. Ritchie will share her new book, The Lies That Bind: Mothers and Daughters at Island Elixir Tea Co. in Langford Station. Tomorrow. 2-4pm. [Info]

🎵 Honouring Siobhan: A concert celebrating the vision and achievement of Siobhan Robinsong, whose belief that everybody can sing has transformed the lives of thousands through her passion and advocacy. The Farquhar at UVic. Tomorrow. 2pm. [Info] 

🌍 12th AfriCa Fest 2025: "Flavors of Africa & the Caribbean" is billed as a celebration of dance, culture, cuisine, and community. Today and tomorrow. 11am-9/8pm. [Info] 

👐 TD Victoria International JazzFest: Funk, soul, fusion, and more will be performed at this festival as it celebrates its 41st anniversary. Until tomorrow. Various venues. [Info]

🎭 The Last Yiddish Speaker: Deborah Zoe Laufer’s fast-paced drama with a streak of magical realism involves a Jewish father and his daughter. Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue, Black Box Theatre. Today and tomorrow. [Info]

🎸🍁 Great Canadian Bash: Big Sugar and Trooper, along with Nautical Disaster, Canada’s preeminent Hipsters, perform outdoors in a celebration of Canadian music, culture, food, and summer. Starlight Stadium. Today. 4:30pm. [Info]

👗 Pride Clothing Exchange: Find the perfect outfit for Pride celebrations at this clothing swap at Oaklands Community Centre. All sizes welcome. Today. 1-4pm. [Info]

🎩 Smokus Pocus: The World’s Dopest Magic Show. This mind-blowing experience is a night of magic that hits different. Starring two-time magic champion Eric Leclerc. Capital Ballroom. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: 8K+ ballots in opposing Saanich ops centre loan gambit; Court rejects Fairy Creek class-action; Provocative ads hit Vic bus shelters. [June 27]

BC Hydro cautions customers about scams. [CHEK]

Langford mailroom theft caught on video. [CTV]

Sooke byelection reminder. It’s on July 12.

Island wildflowers: See the colourful native species in Campbell River. [Facebook photos]

Mouth-watering bites: See the chorizo po’ boy from Songhees Food Truck. [Photo]