Vernon left to fund new transit bus to UBC

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 02, 2010 6:00 PM

Transit to Kelowna is expanding, but most regional partners aren’t climbing aboard. The North Okanagan Regional District board received information on funding a second bus to the University of B.C. campus Wednesday. But no action was taken, meaning that the only financial participant at the current time is the City of Vernon. “We don’t have any riders on the first bus so if Vernon and Coldstream want to go for it, they can,” said Herman Halvorson, rural Enderby director. For Lumby director Kevin Acton, a lack of funds stops the village from getting involved. “We can’t justify spending more money on transit,” he said. All of the communities will continue to support the existing bus to UBC, but Vernon director Jack Gilroy is disappointed they won’t back the second bus. “It’s too important. We need to have that bus running,” he said, adding that it is also used by residents who have jobs in Kelowna. “We have to get people to school and work.”

The total cost for an expanded regional service — the second bus — was $120,000, with $57,480 coming from Vernon. The remainder would have been: Armstrong — $7,320, Enderby — $5,640, Coldstream — $20,520, Spallumcheen — $7,440, Lumby — $4,680, Area B — $5,640, Area D — $5,280 and Area F — $6,000. One possible funding option that’s still on the table is Vernon and Coldstream funding the second bus. “Coldstream is part of Greater Vernon and we have students and people using it,” said Doug Dirk, Coldstream director. “We (Coldstream council) are just waiting for information to come back so we can make a decision.”

If the two communities go it alone, the costs could be $105,804 annually for Vernon and $14,196 for Coldstream. The expanded service to UBC begins Sunday.

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Don Quixote Note: I guess I have to admit that I am an old and confused councillor when I read the story above.

If Coldstream was part of the 2nd bus function and it was still at NORD with all other partners contributing then Coldstream's share of the $120,000 would be $20,520.

BUT if Coldstream and Vernon finance the $120,000 for the second bus then Coldstream's share will DROP to $14,196.

“Curiouser and curiouser!”

(But before you think that the numerically challenged reporter got his figures wrong, think again, the $14,196 figure comes from the NORD report on the matter that was recived at the NORD meeting by all Directors.)