B.C. Transit chief honoured by Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

B.C. Transit’s president and chief executive officer has been named winner of this year’s Award of Distinction from the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

Erinn Pinkerton is the first woman to hold the top job at B.C. Transit, which operates in 130 communities in the province, running about 1,200 vehicles.

The Crown corporation has an annual operating budget of $420 million and about 1,100 employees, plus another 1,700 contracted workers.

In a statement, the Chamber said Pinkerton is known as a visionary leader who is modernizing public transit through ­innovation and technology.

That includes transitioning B.C. Transit’s fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2040 and introducing electronic fare payments in 30 transit systems across the province by the end of this year.

The award is a “meaningful affirmation of our shared commitment to providing safe and reliable service to our customers,” Pinkerton said in a statement. “I accept it with gratitude, knowing that every member of our team has played a crucial role in achieving this success.”

Pinkerton, who holds a bachelor of commerce degree from UVic and a masters in business administration from Lansbridge University in New Brunswick, has more than 20 years of ­experience in the transportation sector.

Pinkerton previously served as vice-president of business development and chief transformation officer, and led development and public consultation efforts for multi-million dollar capital projects and transportation plans, the corporation says on its website, including the Victoria Regional Rapid Transit project and Kelowna Rapid Bus.

She’s been behind initiatives including the smart bus ­technology project, which provides real-time bus information, automated stop announcements and closed-circuit TV cameras on each bus.

“Erinn is a titan in Greater Victoria’s business community, highly respected in communities across B.C. and across the continent for the innovation she has led,” Chamber chief executive Bruce Williams said.

“It’s always difficult for the award judges to choose one person among the many worthy candidates each year, but Erinn’s success speaks for itself.”

Sponsored by the Times Colonist, the Chamber’s Award of Distinction honours a businessperson who has made a noteworthy contribution to the Greater Victoria over a period of years.

The award recognizes the positive influence the honouree has had on the economy, business, and the overall community, illustrated by their achievement, resourcefulness, and determination.

Pinkerton will receive the honour in May at the 2024 Greater Victoria Business Awards, which include 14 categories recognizing organizations and individuals that have distinguished themselves.

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