Vernon makes pitch for second UBC bus

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 05, 2010 6:00 PM

Vernon hopes to bring its regional partners financially onboard for transit expansion. The city has asked the North Okanagan Regional District to reconsider its decision not to fund a second bus to the University of B.C. campus in Kelowna. “It’s the most used, over-used, service B.C. Transit has put into effect in the province,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. A motion to support a second bus was tabled during Wednesdays NORD meeting so information on finances and ridership could be obtained. “With more information, at least they will look at it,” said Lippert. “They thought it just goes from Vernon to UBC. They don’t understand it makes other stops.”Besides UBC, Lippert says the second bus will stop at the Kelowna Airport and Lake Country, and Okanagan College’s Kalamalka campus. “It will be providing better service for kids that want to get their education here,” he said of the local campus.

But other communities aren’t convinced they should get involved. “This directly benefits, for the better part, residents of Vernon and that is supported by ridership figures,” said Will Hansma, Spallumcheen mayor. The entire cost of all transit routes is a concern for John Trainor, an Armstrong councillor. “It’s simply unfair for the regional board to ask small communities to keep footing that bill,” he said. However, Enderby Mayor Dee Wejr is open to looking at the idea of a second bus to UBC because NORD could eventually fund transit between her community and Salmon Arm. “I probably don’t have anyone riding that (UBC) bus but it benefits us to support regional transit,” she said.