By Lyonel Doherty, Times-Chronicle

While BC Transit took a big hit in ridership last year, signs of recovery are emerging.

So says Chelsea Mossey, senior manager of government relations.

Mossey and senior transit planner Adriana McMullen presented a report to the regional district last week consisting of upcoming initiatives and expansions.

Mossey said BC Transit provided essential service amidst the pandemic despite a significant drop in ridership province-wide. For example, they ensured students got to school and that seniors got to their appointments.

Now there are “signs of recovery,” she pointed out.

Mossey showed a graph that indicated ridership in 2020 dropped from a high of 225,000 to a low of 50,000. Ridership in 2021 was steady at 100,000 and increased to 150,000 at one point before dropping back down to 100,000.

Mossey said their number one priority is to recover lost ridership, which at one point dropped by 80 per cent.

She noted that Osoyoos paratransit ridership (routes 40 and 41) were also impacted, with a record low in April 2020, but ridership has steadily increased since then.

The metrics showed 3.8 passengers per hour in 2018-19, with an operating cost of $21.17 per passenger. That dropped to 1.7 per hour at a cost of $53.29 per passenger in 2020-21.

Mossey pointed out that Osoyoos routes recovered better than BC Transit’s Okanagan routes.

She stated that due to popularity, BC Transit replaced its light duty buses in Osoyoos with medium duty buses.

Mossey told regional directors that BC Transit is introducing NextRide, a program where people can track buses in real time. This automated vehicle location technology allows for pre-trip planning via mobility providers (Transit App and Google Maps).

It will provide riders with next stop announcements (both audibly and visually). The program is slated to be implemented in spring of 2022.

Mossey pointed out that a new electronic fare collection system is also on the way, allowing people to pay for their tickets via their phones.

Mossey said discussions are underway to provide bus stops at either side of the highway at Gallagher Lake, north of Oliver. 

Area C director Rick Knodel said there are 600 people in the Gallagher Lake area, which features a high density of seniors. He noted that people are looking forward to this new service.