WEST KELOWNA – RapidBus BC is coming to West Kelowna, making it
easier and faster for families and commuters to travel. Construction is scheduled
to begin this summer.
Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart was joined by West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater
and BC Transit chief operating officer and vice-president of operations Mike
Davis to announce the start of construction and a series of open houses, which
will be held over the next few days at locations throughout the Westside. Residents
are encouraged to view artistic renderings of the new exchanges, maps of the
RapidBus BC expansion and to offer their input on the design phase of the project.
The West Kelowna expansion includes construction of two new transit exchanges
at Westbank Centre and Boucherie Mountain. This service will begin in summer
2014 and will connect to the existing RapidBus BC service between downtown and
UBCO.
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. RapidBus BC ridership has grown almost 10 per cent between
downtown Kelowna and UBCO since the service began in 2010.
The Kelowna RapidBus project will spur economic development in communities
and improve transportation options for families. In total, the project will
receive up to $46 million from federal, provincial and local partners.
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. The government of
British Columbia will provide $23.9 million, the City of Kelowna $5.2 million,
and West Kelowna is contributing land.
Since 2006, the Government of Canada has made unprecedented investments in
infrastructure. Between 2006 and 2014, British Columbia will receive more than
$1.56 billion from the Gas Tax Fund to improve local infrastructure. The Union
of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in British
Columbia, in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a new Building Canada
Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure
in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. The new Building
Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, supports
Canada’s infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and
job creation.
In September 2012, the B.C. government released its response to the Independent
BC Transit Review. BC Transit is committed to greater consultation and collaboration
with its local government partners.
Quotes:
Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart –
“RapidBus is revolutionizing transit in the Okanagan. Ridership has grown
nearly ten per cent since service began in 2010, and once the whole project
is complete, RapidBus will provide 30 kilometers of service between West Kelowna
and UBCO.”
“Bringing RapidBus to West Kelowna will improve travel time with fast,
direct service, and it will get people out of their cars, which will help reduce
traffic congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
District of West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater –
“RapidBus is a key part of our Westbank Centre Revitalization Strategy;
we are so pleased to see this move ahead. We welcome the opportunity for public
input and encourage citizens to attend the upcoming open houses in West Kelowna.”
BC Transit vice president and chief operating officer Mike Davis –
“Kelowna’s RapidBus is a project BC Transit takes great pride in.
With regional support, RapidBus is growing and our customers will benefit from
a more efficient and effective transit system.”
Open House Schedule:
Visit the Transit Future Bus at any of the following locations and times:
Tuesday, April 2
Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary
2751 Cameron Rd.
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, April 3
Save-on Foods
2475 Dobbin Rd.
9 a.m. – 12 noon
Wednesday, April 3
Westbank Centre
3717 Elliott Rd.
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, April 4
Okanagan Lake Shopping Centre
Highway 97 at Westside Rd.
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Thursday, April 4
Boucherie Mountain
Super 8 Hotel at Westgate Rd.
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Learn more:
Media Contacts:
Kate Trotter
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 356-8241
Kirsten Jones
District of West Kelowna
778 797-2253
Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613 991-0700
Meribeth Burton
BC Transit
250 507-8145
