KELOWNA – Emil Anderson Construction Inc. of Kelowna has been awarded
a $4.8-million contract to expand RapidBus BC, providing transportation options
for families and communities and creating jobs.
RapidBus BC provides passengers with faster, more frequent bus transportation.
Since the service began in 2010, ridership has grown almost 10 per cent between
downtown Kelowna and the University of British Columbia-Okanagan (UBCO).
“Improved transit service gets people home to their families faster, and
allows more people to commute to work or school,” said Premier Christy
Clark. “RapidBus will provide a sustainable and efficient transportation
network, save time, and encourage more people to take the bus.”
Building on the success of RapidBus BC in Kelowna, the service will be expanded
to West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation. The expansion includes building four
transit stations and two transit exchanges, which will connect to the existing
RapidBus service between downtown Kelowna and UBCO. Construction will start
in September and is expected to finish in July 2014. Service is expected to
begin in summer 2014.
“RapidBus will improve transit linkages and service for our region,”
said Kelowna Mayor Walter Gray. “I am really happy to see that construction
of the Gordon and Richter Stations along Highway 97 in Kelowna will commence
later this year.”
“The District of West Kelowna is pleased to see that construction will
soon begin on two new exchanges in our community,” said West Kelowna Mayor
Doug Findlater. “We envision the exchange on Elliott Road will complement
our efforts for Westbank Centre revitalization, and the Boucherie Exchange will
service an important recreation and municipal hub as well as the students of
Mt. Boucherie school.”
The Government of Canada is contributing up to $10.9 million from the Building
Canada Fund and another $6 million from the Gas Tax Fund towards the $46 million
project. The government of B.C. is contributing $23.9 million, the City of Kelowna
is contributing $5.2 million and West Kelowna is contributing land.
“Connecting the RapidBus from UBCO through the City of Kelowna to the
Westside and through WFN lands will be a great benefit to our communities, members
and residents,” said Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie. “Westbank
First Nation is proud to be a partner on this sustainable transportation initiative,
which will bring environmental and economic rewards to the region.”
“Awarding this contract is a major step forward for Kelowna’s RapidBus
– a service that will provide BC Transit’s customers with a more efficient and
effective transit system,” said BC Transit president and chief executive
officer Manuel Achadinha.
Learn more:
For information on Kelowna RapidBus, visit: www.kelownarapidbus.ca
Media Contacts:
Sam Oliphant
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252
Tom Wilson
City of Kelowna
250 469-8663
Kirsten Jones
District of West Kelowna
778 797-2253
Mandi Carroll
Westbank First Nation
250 769-2436
Meribeth Burton
BC Transit
250 507-8145
BACKGROUNDER
RapidBus expansion projects in Kelowna
The first portion of RapidBus BC in Kelowna was completed in September 2010
and includes service between the University of BC Okanagan campus and Queensway
in downtown Kelowna.
The direct service includes modern, attractive amenities, technology to extend
green lights and real-time passenger information displays on the buses and at
the exchanges.
The RapidBus expansion will include service to the Westbank First Nation and
District of West Kelowna. The contract includes building:
- Transit exchanges at Westbank Centre and Boucherie Mountain in West Kelowna.
- Transit stations at Westside Road and Butt Road in Westbank First Nation.
- Transit stations at Highway 97 and Gordon Drive and Highway 97 and Richter
Street in Kelowna.
Construction will start in September and is expected to finish in July 2014.
Once complete, the entire Kelowna RapidBus BC project will include six new or
improved exchanges, four new stations, branded shelters and real-time passenger
information displays.
