Following a positive community response, BC Transit and the City of Kelowna are excited to continue providing convenient, flexible and efficient OnDemand transit services to the Crawford area.
Since the launch of the modern service in April 2024, transit ridership in the area has doubled, with OnDemand riders benefiting from transportation that adapts to their schedules – helping them save time and making transit easier and convenient.
With OnDemand there are no fixed-routes or schedules, and buses are dispatched on a request basis to a designated safe pick-up location near the customer. Riders have the option to use a user-friendly app or call centre to book their rides. Currently, all requests begin and end within the Crawford area which includes service to Canyon Falls Middle School, Lakeshore Centre and to and from the Mission Rec Transit Exchange where passengers can connect to the wider public transportation network or spend time at the recreation centre.
Benefits to customers include:
- shorter wait and travel times;
- direct trips;
- increased access to areas within and near the neighbourhood that have limited transit service; and
- increased service availability during off-peak times, particularly during the evenings and weekends.
BC Transit and the City of Kelowna have renewed the contract with public transit technology provider Via, extending OnDemand service in the Crawford neighbourhood through to Fall 2028.
“BC Transit’s decision to renew the successful Kelowna OnDemand service demonstrates a clear commitment to innovation that puts riders first,” said Rob Bryans, Via’s General Manager for Canada. “Together, we’re demonstrating how technology can make public transportation in Canada more inclusive, convenient, and future-ready.”
BC Transit is working with other areas of the Kelowna region and across B.C. to explore opportunities to introduce OnDemand transit service to more people.
Please visit OnDemand Transit – BC Transit for more information.
Media contacts
BC Transit communications
media@bctransit.com
