VERNON – BC Transit and the City of Vernon are delighted to announce ridership
is on the rise – up 8.7% over last year. In its Annual Report, BC Transit
found Vernon was a market leader in rides with 440,438 in 2011/12 as compared
with 405,271 in 2010/11.
With the introduction of a new downtown Vernon transit exchange in the spring
and longer hours to accommodate commuters, BC Transit expected to see greater
numbers and thanks to our growing customer base, we are thrilled with the results.
Our fare box recording system shows BC Transit ridership grew .8% per cent
(38,190) in June compared with June 2011 (37,894). The number of customers on
transit in May was up 6.5% per cent (38,940) over May of last year (36,563).
Our April ridership was down 2.3% (37,915) 2012 vs. (38,808) 2011, which may
be due to the transitioning of the transit exchange and finalizing the new transit
schedules.
The original numbers mentioned earlier in the press this week did not include
ridership numbers from the North Okanagan Region, which normally are part of
the total ridership for Vernon Regional Transit.
An average of 38,348 people per month rode BC Transit this spring.
“We look forward to expanding our customer reach in Vernon,” said
BC Transit President & CEO Manuel Achadinha. “By extending transit
hours and improving the exchange, we are making transit more customer-friendly
and convenient for the local community.”
Vernon Mayor Robert Sawatzky says, “It’s great to report that ridership
is increasing. Vernon residents identified transit expansion as a top priority
and the investment into it is paying off.”
Thank you, Vernon, for choosing BC Transit. Together we are making communities
more sustainable.
For information on routes, schedules and fares, call the local operator of
Vernon Regional Transit at 250.545.7221 or visit www.bctransit.com.
Media Contact:
Wendy Majjewski
TDM Coordinator
d:250.550.7831
c:250.503.8455
wmajewski@vernon.ca
www.vernon.ca
Meribeth Burton
Corporate Spokesperson | BC Transit
d: 250.995.5720
c: 250.507.8145
meribeth_burton@bctransit.com
www.bctransit.com
