Bus changes.
BC Transit recently undertook a review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the current operation of the Osoyoos Paratransit System, and at the February 20 council meeting, Bernie Rosin of the South Okanagan Transit Society explained what changes to the service have been proposed.
The transit system currently provides door to door pick-up and delivery, and between Monday and Thursday busses South Okanagan residents to and from Osoyoos, Oliver, OK Falls and Penticton. On Mondays the trip extends to Kelowna, and upon request, the bus will travel to Summerland on any of the four days.
The bus service was established in 1996 by Med Trans and it is currently funded by BC Transit, the Town of Osoyoos and the Interior Health Authority. Rosin said BC Transit's analysis indicated four areas requiring attention:rn1) Low ridership – averaging slightly more than five passengers per triprn2) Door to door service. The service has been called a 20 passenger taxi, as door to door service provided to all passengers, many of whom are physically capable of walking to a bus stop.
3) Too much idle time in Penticton – Currently the driver will arrive in Penticton at approximately 9:30 a.m. and not leave for the return trip until 3 p.m.
4) Personalized taxi within Penticton with no fares collected. While in Penticton, the driver will spend the majority of his time shuttling people back and forth between their appointments and the malls. This is presently done without charging additional fares.
The recommendations from BC Transit are expected to be implemented this spring and are as follows:rn The system will operate as a combination fixed route and door to door service within Osoyoos prior to the trips to Penticton and Kelowna. Door to door service will still be offered to persons with disabilities who cannot access a bus stop. There are three areas designated as by request only where the bus will divert when required.
On Tuesdays through Thursdays, the system will operate two return trips to Penticton. Passengers will be picked up in Osoyoos between 7:30 and 8:15 a.m., and for the afternoon trip passengers will be picked up between 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
BC Transit anticipates the additional trips will increase ridership as it will allow passengers more opportunities to travel. It was also suggested that shuttle trips within Penticton be subject to an additional fare of $1.50 per trip.
As is the case currently, all passengers requiring transportation for medical purposes will be given priority.
The Town of Osoyoos will be installing bus stops at some locations in town and will be advertising the changes. Rosin explained that passengers who stand anywhere along the designated bus route and signal for the bus to stop will be picked up.
We believe ridership will increase considerably. With the new system, people will know automatically where the bus will be at a certain time.
I know there will be some growing pains and a lot of things to work out, but economically and for the customers we service I think it will be the best way to go, said Rosin. He added that any enquiries and concerns will be answered by someone in the office between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon.
Council made a motion to send a letter of support to BC Transit for the changes, making sure they address a few concerns, such as the provision of the door to door service to seniors during the winter months.
