Kelowna – Buses in Kelowna and across the province are getting smarter and safer with continued implementation of best-in-class technologies. The City of Kelowna signed a memorandum of understanding today to introduce a new Real Time information system.
The installation of these new technologies is part of the almost $160 million in federal and provincial funding for BC Transit projects that was first announced in June, together with Premier Christy Clark and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“BC Transit’s commitment to implementing new technologies means a safer, more efficient experience,” said Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna. “Riders will be able to see in real time where the next bus is, when it should arrive – and know that when they get on board, they’ll be safe.”
“The Government of Canada recognizes how important safe and efficient transit infrastructure is to growing the middle class and getting Canadians to work and back home to their families at the end of the day,” said Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna – Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “We are committed to supporting improvements to public transit systems, such as these bus upgrades in Kelowna, to help municipalities across British Columbia deliver safe, modern and efficient public transit services to residents.”
BC Transit and its partners have prioritized technology enhancements that will pave the way for a better customer experience. Continued technological enhancements to buses include:
• Closed circuit TV (CCTV), to increase the safety of passengers and drivers.
• Real Time information about where buses are located to make service more convenient
• Automatic passenger counters enabling BC Transit to optimize service delivery based on precise and timely data.
“Putting Real Time technology to work for the benefit of transit users is the next step toward a fully modern, streamlined transit system,” said MLA for Kelowna-Mission Steve Thomson. “With CCTV on our buses already making it a safer way to travel, transit in Kelowna will also soon be more convenient and easier to use than ever.”
“Residents of Kelowna will see a noticeable improvement in the safety, efficiency and user-friendliness of our transit system thanks to this $160 million province-wide investment in BC Transit projects,” said MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country Norm Letnick. “We are proud to be able to support such practical, helpful upgrades in our communities.”
BC Transit is working with its provincial and local partners to finalize plans for the implementation of Real Time information technology. Real Time information will allow customers to determine when buses are due to arrive or leave their location via a mobile app, website, or passenger information displays at key exchanges. Communities that are expected to introduce Real Time include Kamloops, Nanaimo, Comox Valley, Squamish, Whistler, Kelowna, and Victoria.
“Riders will be able to know precisely where their bus is and when it is arriving, which we know they will appreciate. It also allows us to monitor route performance, gain efficiencies, and make changes where problems exist – so everyone benefits,” explained Jerry Dombowsky, Regional Transit and Programs Manager at the City of Kelowna.
BC Transit will be releasing a request for proposals to find a vendor to install and maintain the real time technology in January 2017. BC Transit staff have been researching and evaluating technology enhanced systems in peer transit systems across Canada and the United States. The Real Time project also builds off the pilot project in Kelowna along Highway 97 since 2014.
“Our team has seen the benefits of real time technology in other communities, and the value of being able to provide the reassurance to customers that the bus is on its way,” said Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit Executive Director of Business Development. “It is our goal to improve the customer experience by allowing customers to know when their bus will actually arrive using GPS technology.”
Work continues on the implementation of the CCTV cameras across the Province of BC, and research and evaluation of automatic passenger counters.
BC Transit currently has over 180 buses in its fleet with closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras installed, including 41 in Kelowna. The other buses are located in Victoria, Kamloops, Nanaimo and Chilliwack. The buses with CCTV cameras are medium- and heavy-duty buses acquired after 2005. All new medium duty, heavy duty and high capacity buses will be delivered with the cameras already installed. Buses in Abbotsford, Whistler, and the Cowichan Valley will be the next communities to have CCTV cameras installed.
In partnership with local governments, BC Transit provides access to public transit to more than
1.6 million British Columbians in 130 communities outside Metro Vancouver. As a result of our commitment to transit in B.C., communities with as few as 1,000 people have access to transit making BC Transit a unique service for smaller communities anywhere in Canada.
The Province also provides the highest level of operating funding support, per capita, for transit in Canada.
For more information on the Kelowna Transit System, please visit bctransit.com/kelowna or call 250-860-8121.
Media Contact:
Jonathon Dyck, BC Transit, Communications Manager
media@bctransit.com 250.995.5720
