By Sebastian Kanally, Times Chronicle
New proposed transit extensions are being explored by BC Transit, including expanding the local service within Oliver and Osoyoos which would connect to the existing route 40 as well as local destinations.
BC Transit is also looking at putting a bus shelter on each side of the road in Gallagher Lake on Route 41.
The expansion priorities will come back to the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) along with costs associated with them. At that time the board will have the option to approve them or defer them to a later fiscal year.
Also on the horizon is a low carbon fleet, which BC Transit plans to be fully electric by 2040. In addition, major initiatives such as electronic fare technology are on the horizon for BC Transit in their plans to promote their services while still trying to recover from the pandemic.
This overview of the current status of BC systems was presented by Chelsea Mossey, Senior Manager of Government Relations for BC Transit, to the RDOS Community Services Committee on April 6.
As to when the route expansion will be put before the RDOS, Jamie Weiss, Senior Media Relations and Public Affairs Advisor with BC transit told the Times Chronicle that the “expansion priorities will be presented May 4 to the RDOS Board when we present the 2023 Transit Future Action Plan for endorsement.”
Weiss concluded that “once this plan is endorsed by all local government partners” specifics on the proposed destinations and routes “will be posted on our website.”
If the board approves these expansions for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the presentation noted they remain subject to provincial funding availability.
The presentation also provided an update on system performance, major initiatives and their proposed expansions to routes in the South Okanagan-Similkameen.
Ridership has still not recovered to pre-pandemic levels in BC, although it has been steadily increasing each year. Provincial ridership is now a little more than 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
Enhancements on the way include an electronic fare collection system and the somewhat recent introduction of NextRide, which is an automated vehicle location tracking technology which allows customers to plan their trip in real time.
Mossey explained that “new payment methods will include a mobile app debit card and credit card payments, mobile wallet, and a reloadable smartcard providing riders with the ability to pick the best payment method for their lifestyle and travel habits.” It’s important to note that cash will continue to be accepted.
They expect this technology to roll out by fall or early winter of this year.
North of Penticton they are also planning a “further expansion of route 70: Kelowna to Penticton, introducing service on Saturdays and expanding evening service on this route, and this is tentatively planned for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.”
Directors asked about plans for transit in the area, such as transit routes to the Kelowna airport. These will be taken into consideration when BC transit comes back next month to go into more depth on the future action plan and proposed extensions and seek endorsement on some projects.
