Although plans to expand the Penticton Transit System have been shelved for this year, a number of minor route 
changes are set to begin next week.Matt Berry of Penticton Transit said Thursday the changes stem from public input into a recently completed transit study."They're pretty much just minor tweaks here and there to try and streamline things a little bit," he said. Several minor route and schedule changes are being made, effective Jan. 2, 2007. These include:- Saturday service starts 30 minutes earlier (about 7:30 a.m.)- Extend two-way service on Duncan Avenue West to Village-by-the Station.- Two-way service on Wade Avenue West to Memorial Arena.- Two-way service downtown on Westminster Avenue.- Haven Hill/Skaha Lake route extended to the art gallery and Waterfront Eyecare facility at Ellis Street and Vancouver Avenue.There will be no increase in bus fares this year. Single ride fares remain at $1.75 for adults, $1.50 for seniors and students, with children six and under allowed on the bus for free.The transit study conducted last year had recommended the addition of a fifth route, providing half-hourly service along Main Street between downtown and Skaha Lake. Since provincial government policy calls for such service expansions to be paid entirely by the municipality, city council opted against the proposal for 2007.The city's share of annual transit costs amounts to about $200,000. The net cost of adding an additional bus route would be about $165,000.Berry noted the study spawned considerable comment from the public last summer, during which residents voiced overwhelming support for the current system."Basically the message we got was: 'Don't lose the integrity of the system that's there right now because it's generally working pretty well,'" he said.Penticton Transit System carries more than 300,000 passengers a year, plus those who use the HandyDart bus. Final ridership figures for 2006 have not yet been tabulated. Berry said a two-week count in November indicated more than 19,000 rode the bus during that period alone. The new bus schedules are included in the 2007 rider's guide, now available on all buses, City Hall, the community centre, Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, the library and the Penticton Transit office on Warren Avenue.Meanwhile, Penticton Transit is offering free bus rides for New Year's Eve revellers again this year. The city will pick up the costs for extended service until 3 a.m., with an hour break from midnight to 1 a.m. In previous years, up to 200 people have taken advantage of the New Year's service.
changes are set to begin next week.Matt Berry of Penticton Transit said Thursday the changes stem from public input into a recently completed transit study."They're pretty much just minor tweaks here and there to try and streamline things a little bit," he said. Several minor route and schedule changes are being made, effective Jan. 2, 2007. These include:- Saturday service starts 30 minutes earlier (about 7:30 a.m.)- Extend two-way service on Duncan Avenue West to Village-by-the Station.- Two-way service on Wade Avenue West to Memorial Arena.- Two-way service downtown on Westminster Avenue.- Haven Hill/Skaha Lake route extended to the art gallery and Waterfront Eyecare facility at Ellis Street and Vancouver Avenue.There will be no increase in bus fares this year. Single ride fares remain at $1.75 for adults, $1.50 for seniors and students, with children six and under allowed on the bus for free.The transit study conducted last year had recommended the addition of a fifth route, providing half-hourly service along Main Street between downtown and Skaha Lake. Since provincial government policy calls for such service expansions to be paid entirely by the municipality, city council opted against the proposal for 2007.The city's share of annual transit costs amounts to about $200,000. The net cost of adding an additional bus route would be about $165,000.Berry noted the study spawned considerable comment from the public last summer, during which residents voiced overwhelming support for the current system."Basically the message we got was: 'Don't lose the integrity of the system that's there right now because it's generally working pretty well,'" he said.Penticton Transit System carries more than 300,000 passengers a year, plus those who use the HandyDart bus. Final ridership figures for 2006 have not yet been tabulated. Berry said a two-week count in November indicated more than 19,000 rode the bus during that period alone. The new bus schedules are included in the 2007 rider's guide, now available on all buses, City Hall, the community centre, Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, the library and the Penticton Transit office on Warren Avenue.Meanwhile, Penticton Transit is offering free bus rides for New Year's Eve revellers again this year. The city will pick up the costs for extended service until 3 a.m., with an hour break from midnight to 1 a.m. In previous years, up to 200 people have taken advantage of the New Year's service. 
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