It's all aboard for a popular transit service. Regional
District of North Okanagan directors decided Wednesday to take over
responsibility of a second bus to the University of B.C. campus in
Kelowna from the City of Vernon. "It's
a proven success," said Janice Brown, Spallumcheen director, adding
that while few residents from her community use the service, there are
benefits to the region as students can access post-secondary education. "We have to look at it as the whole." Presently, all RDNO members (except for BX-Silver
Star and Cherryville) fund one bus to UBC. But when a second bus began
in 2010, Vernon picked up the additional $120,000 a year because other
communities had concerns about costs and use among their residents. A recent ridership survey highlighted use of the
service from most jurisdictions, and Vernon director Juliette Cunningham
is pleased the other communities have decided to contribute
financially. "It's one of the most subscribed services we've ever
provided," she said, adding that the buses assist people who work in
Kelowna as well as seniors. "Residents are using it to get to appointments in Kelowna." RDNO is working towards establishing a function that
would fund all bus services to UBC. But because the legislative process
can't be in place until 2013, reserves and student bus pass revenue will
be used to fund the second bus this year.
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