Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 30, 2011 1:00 AM
Plans are driving ahead to get more passengers on board the bus. A review of the local transit service is getting underway to analyze existing service levels, cost factors/allocations, client groups, geographic areas and efficiency of service delivery. “For all of us, the next step is how do we get more people on the bus?” Steve Harvard, from B.C. Transit, told Coldstream council at a presentation Monday. Along with consulting with municipal partners (Vernon, Coldstream and North Okanagan Regional District transit participants), a ridership count and public consultation will help develop short-term system changes to be implemented within the next five years. “What we feel can be improved upon and possibly what routes need to be looked at under the microscope,” said Harvard. Coldstream politicians have some concerns around timing and the effectiveness of a two-week ridership count. “If you just measure what is you may be missing what could be,” said Coun. Maria Besso, urging the review to examine options currently not provided by transit. One example, she says, is ways to improve Vernon’s Kelowna connection, particularly to UBC Okanagan. “That is probably the single most effective way to subsidize students getting an education,” said Besso. The North Okanagan connector is also a route of concern for Vernon. The tourism advisory committee is asking for an additional stop at Kelowna International Airport. Currently the transit service only makes a northbound stop at the airport and does not stop at the airport when heading south from Vernon to Kelowna. But Harvard says that would create dysfunction on the Vernon end. “There’s a significant cost for that to happen and it significantly impacts what happens on this end.”
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Airport bus stop considered - Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 30, 2011 1:00 AM
Additional options for tourists trying to get to the airport could eventually take flight. Vernon council has asked that a southbound bus stop at Kelowna International Airport be considered by the North Okanagan Regional District and be part of an upcoming transit service review. “Guests wish to have better service,” said Michelle Jefferson, tourism manager. Presently, the bus leaves Vernon, stops at the Kalamalka college campus and the University of B.C. in Kelowna and doesn’t arrive at the airport until it is returning northbound. That adds about 17 minutes for someone wanting to go to the airport. “It must be frustrating to see your destination and then keep going,” said Coun. Shawn Lee. It’s been proposed that a stop could be made at the airport before the bus arrives at UBC. “By providing more choice, we will reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles,” said Coun. Shawn Lee. It was also suggested that increased transit use would ease parking at the airport. However, not everyone embraces the idea. “This is in direct competition to existing businesses,” said Coun. Bob Spiers of private taxis and shuttles. Spiers called for a surcharge for anyone wanting to take the bus to the airport, but that was shot down. “If someone wants to wait two or three hours for a bus, they are not competing with a taxi,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe. “It’s a service that’s nice to offer. We need to provide more (to tourists).” Support for Spiers’ proposal came from Coun. Patrick Nicol, who says the UBC route is expensive to operate. “There is nothing wrong with clawing back a little money from those who benefit,” he said. “Sometimes in business, when you add to a service, you get a fee for it.” O’Keefe pointed out that an extra bus stop has not been approved and is only being reviewed. “Our motion does not preclude a fee for service,” she said. The other issue that arose is the bus to UBC is often at capacity and a southbound stop at the airport could delay students getting to classes. “This additional time will impact students’ time and they are on a tight schedule,” said Spiers.
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