City of Kamloops Signs Community Transit Partnership Agreement with Tk’emlúps te Secwèpemc

On June 21, 2017, City Council authorized Administration to execute a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City and TteS to negotiate and formalize a Community Transit Partnership Agreement (CTPA) to provide conventional transit service within TteS boundaries. Since the MOU was executed, Administration has worked with legal counsel, TteS staff, and BC Transit to draft a CTPA between the City and TteS.

Today, TteS, the City of Kamloops, and BC Transit met on TteS land along the new route to begin service in September for the joint public signing of the CTPA.

“We are excited to see the route expanded to TteS lands, the great working relationship we have had on this project, and looking forward to other joint initiatives between governments.” says Mayor Ken Christian.

The City and TteS are enthusiastic to offer community members this new transit service, which extends access to the TteS boundaries.

kúkwpi7 Fred Seymour says, “The agreement between Tk’emlúps, the City of Kamloops and BC Transit has been a long time to come, we look forward to providing more ridership from Tk’emlúps. This agreement is going to help all parties involved significantly by helping bridge our communities’ closer together. Kukwstsétsemc (thank you) to everyone on both sides for the work that was done by the departments of Tk’emlúps, the City of Kamloops and BC Transit in their efforts and the conversations that have made this agreement possible.”

“The Province and BC Transit work in partnership with local communities to deliver transit services that best suit a community’s needs,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “I’m pleased to see this transit expansion benefit the TteS community, helping improve mobility, accessibility, and quality of life for local residents.”

In general, the terms of the CTPA include the following:

• The CTPA is for a five-year term.
• The City will retain full authority on the distribution of extra service hours offered by BC Transit; however, each party will retain the authority to make decisions on transit service levels within its boundaries.
• Approximately 3,000 hours of conventional service is available to TteS lands.
• TteS is responsible for the capital and maintenance costs of providing bus stops and any other transit-related amenities on TteS lands.
• TteS is responsible for the operating costs to provide service within its boundaries.
• TteS is responsible for the lease fees for the additional fleet (bus) required to provide the service.
• The City will retain full authority for setting fares; however, revenue will be shared in a manner representative of actual revenue generated within respective boundaries.
• BC Transit will determine the operating costs and estimate the revenue generated by the service to TteS lands on an annual basis.
• Both parties will work co-operatively to coordinate aspects of community engagement and to leverage services provided by BC Transit to local governments.

“We are proud to support the partnership between the City of Kamloops and Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc to create this new connection for people and communities in the Kamloops Transit System,” said Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. “The new route will help us provide safe, effective, and efficient transportation to residents of Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc and Sun Rivers.”

The new transit route is scheduled to launch September 2018.