Reluctance To Fund UBCO Bus

Written by Glen Morrison Friday, 02 July 2010 10:40107.5 SUNFM

While Vernon tries to get NORD to join in the cost of a second bus to UBC Okanagan in Kelowna, it doesn't appear likely. The fee will run about $120,000 a year, with a second one starting in September to ease the heavy load on the current run. NORD chair Herman Halvorson says it's not a good deal for some members. "In the outlying areas, like Enderby and Electoral Area F (rural Enderby, Halvorson's riding), we've spoke pretty clearly that we're not interested in going that route." He doesn't think anybody in Area F uses that service. "We were fair to do the first run to UBCO, but to put on a second one, we were clear in telling Vernon if they wish to do that, they could go right ahead." Halvorson says it would cost his area $6,000.

Coldstream is also not willing to fund it, at least until they see ridership numbers in their area, that show it's needed. Mayor Jim Garlick says transit costs have climbed, and on some routes buses are either empty or have few passengers. "It's important to supply the service but in such a way that we don't have huge costs. Otherwise the community will be looking at it saying 'We're spending $20 for every person we're putting on a bus', and that doesn't make sense." Garlick says it might be cheaper to get people taxis instead.