B.C. Transit television is just a mouse click away.
The bus company rolled out its inaugural broadcast series, known as Transit TV, last week on its website.
New initiatives, employee profiles and other transit news, will be the focus of stories filmed, edited and told by Meribeth Burton, Victoria-based B.C. Transit spokesperson.
Transit TV can help get the word out about ways the Crown agency is serving communities around the province.
"For me it's about complete openness and great communication," said Burton, who took on the agency's spokesperson role earlier this year. "I think Transit TV is just one small component."
Though the concept was not developed in response to an independent review of B.C. Transit that the province ordered after several mayors complained, Burton said Transit TV will bolster communications.
It was during her job interview for the position in February that she pitched the idea of telling B.C. Transit stories.
She is now using an iPad to tape interviews with B.C. Transit employees and then editing them into short, but informative segments. Burton will also appear on camera.
"Once I feel like I've got his or her voice, and I'm reflecting it, I try to add a little Meribeth to it," said Burton, who worked for nearly 24 years as a television journalist.
She felt it only natural to bring her broadcast skills to her new communications career.
"I do people-style communications, because I like people. I'm a storyteller and my colleagues think it's wonderful, because I think everything they tell me is a story.
"I probably hear three great story ideas a day."
In addition to viewing online videos, visitors to the site can also click a link that takes them to mainstream media stories featuring B.C. Transit.
"I think the more stories, the more points of view, the better our ridership will understand some of the issues," Burton said.
To watch Transit TV, visit www.bctransit.com and look for the Transit TV link.
emccracken@vicnews.com