KELOWNA – Major improvements are coming to the Kelowna Regional Transit System. Effective August 31, 2014 RapidBus service will extend to Westbank Centre in West Kelowna, new routes will be introduced in the City of Kelowna and the District of Lake Country, Peachland will enjoy improved evening service and 15,000 annual service hours will be added to better serve transit customers in the region.
Building on the success of RapidBus, which was introduced in 2010 and served downtown Kelowna to the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO), the second phase is now complete. New RapidBus exchanges at Boucherie Mountain and Westbank Centre, with real-time passenger information, will open.
A new Route 5 Gordon will provide a two-way direct connection via Gordon Drive to downtown Kelowna, the RapidBus corridor on Highway 97, the Capri Shopping Centre, Okanagan College and the Mission Recreation Centre. Route 8 University will be realigned to deliver a direct connection to Kelowna General Hospital and Okanagan College.
In Lake Country, a new Route 32 The Lakes will connect Lake Country Town Centre with The Lakes neighbourhood during weekday peak periods. The new route will support current and future residential and commercial growth in The Lakes area.
The Route 22 Peachland in the District of Peachland will have improved evening, Sunday and holiday service. The route will link to the new Westbank Centre transit exchange, improving regional connectivity.
15,000 added annual service hours represent a significant 8.5% growth in transit services in the Kelowna Regional Transit System. The approved expansion hours were funded by the City of Kelowna, District of Peachland and District of Lake Country. All service changes in the District of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation have been achieved with existing resources.
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“Increased BC Transit service and ridership will make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Premier Christy Clark, Westside-Kelowna MLA. “Better transit connections and longer service hours will give commuters, students, and tourists more options to reach more destinations at convenient times.”
“The additional 15,000 annual service hours will go a long way towards meeting the public transportation needs of Kelowna,” says Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country. “In particular, the new route in Lake Country will provide convenient, efficient service for current and future residents of the area.”
“It’s great to see such a positive response to the Kelowna transit system with more riders, more routes and more connections,” said MLA Steve Thomson. “With better access to Kelowna General Hospital, Okanagan College and two-way transportation along Gordon, these improvements will meet the needs of Kelowna-Mission residents.”
Mayor Walter Gray of Kelowna added: “These new transit services continue to expand on our sustainable transportation network in Kelowna. The extra focus on routes serving Kelowna General Hospital offers new transit options for a large and growing workforce in addition to the many volunteers, visitors and patients at KGH.”
“We are very pleased to have a new transit route starting September connecting The Lakes neighbourhood with Town Centre in Lake Country,” said Mayor James Baker. “This serves to expand the service connection with existing routes in Lake Country.”
Peachland Mayor, Keith Fielding said, “I am very pleased to see these changes. Riders will benefit greatly from Route 22 connectivity with the RapidBus at West Kelowna, as well as improved weekend service and shorter trips between West Kelowna and Peachland at night. We look forward to planning and budgeting for further service improvements in the future.”
“The expansion of RapidBus into West Kelowna, and the introduction of new and expanded services will help meet current and future needs of transit customers in the Kelowna region,” said BC Transit President and CEO Manuel Achadinha. “These improvements are the result of strong partnerships with local, regional and provincial governments.”
For more information on the Kelowna Regional Transit system please consult www.bctransit.com/regions/kel or call 250.860.8121.
Media Contact:
Meribeth Burton
Corporate Spokesperson | BC Transit
d: 250.995.5720
c: 250.507.8145
media@bctransit.com
