UBCO Transit Connector to be Reviewed at RDNO on Wednesday at 4 pm. (21% Increase ??)

The approved 2016 RDNO budget for the UBCO Connector service (872) is $413,000. This cost is net of the $240,000 provincial contribution through BC Transit. The net cost of the service is funded by property tax requisition ($301,000), as well as transit fares ($78,000) and Lake Country’s contribution ($34,000).
The cost allocation percentages in the establishment bylaw are required to be reviewed at least every three (3) years using an ‘on bus’ survey. The last survey was conducted in October 2013, therefore a new survey is planned for October 2016. The estimated annual expansion costs are allocated among the partners below based on the 2013 percentage splits. By September 2017, these costs will vary somewhat due to the new survey numbers and a more detailed costing by
BC Transit.

http://www.rdno.ca/agendas/160518_AGN_BoD_REG_FULL.pdf 

P.282 Transit Expansion Data

P.276 Transit Background (RDNO)

P.278 Transit Tax Requisition Projected

Transit route may be cut

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 03, 2013 1:00 AM
There could be fewer opportunities to get to Kelowna this summer.  The Regional District of North Okanagan board today will consider reducing the number of transit trips to the University of B.C. from 10 to four a day from April 29 to Aug. 30. Director Rob Sawatzky says there is no choice but to  cut service when classes are not in session so there are more trips during the fall and winter to address students’ needs. “Because the budget was done when the problem (over-crowding) was identified, the only way to add trips was to find the money within the budget,” he said. “It (trimming summer service) allows us to add extra trips. It makes sense.” However, Sawatzky admits that going from 10 to four trips per day will have a negative impact on residents who use the bus to go to Kelowna for shopping, medical appointments or to work. “It’s the accommodation we had to make at the time.” If approved, the departure schedules from Vernon that will be cut from April 29 to Aug. 30 will include 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sawatzky says reducing summer trips is only a temporary measure and options, such as a third bus, to deal with overcrowding during the winter will have to be considered. “We will have a discussion in the fall about the best long-term plan,” he said.

Extra Trips Added To UBCO Connector

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Monday, 04 February 2013 17:07
  Extra trips are being added to the crowded Vernon to UBCO bus route. BC Transit says extra weekday runs will leave Vernon at 9 am and noon, and return from the university at 10 am and 1pm. The new service will start February 12th and continue until April 26th. RDNO chair Patrick Nicol says the route is seeing ever increasing demand. "We look forward to the transit users input on these new times," Nicol says. "The extra runs will benefit Vernon, as well as the other communities in the North Okanagan," said Eric Foster, Vernon- Monashee MLA. "This is a great example of local governments and BC Transit working together to ensure we have an efficient transit system for customers." "More than 8,300 students attend the university's Kelowna campus, and so this bus route is a valued service for students who are commuting in each day," said Norm Letnick, Kelowna-Lake Country MLA. "The extra service will go a long way, for students and faculty alike."

Regional district able to fund second bus to UBC

By Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 03, 2012 9:00 AM

It's all aboard for the Regional District of North Okanagan funding a transit service between Vernon and the University of B.C. in Kelowna.  An alternate approval process has wrapped up and an insufficient number of names were collected to block the function from proceeding. "Eight elector response forms were received by our office opposing the proposed bylaw," said Jeanne Byron,corporate officer. For the service establishment bylaw to be shot down, 10 per cent of qualified electors would have had to sign the petition. That translates into 6,218 names. Virtually all RDNO members fund one bus to UBC. But when a second bus began in 2010, only Vernon picked up that cost. RDNO members have now agreed to fund the second bus and that requires the creation of a funding service. "The bylaw will now be forwarded to the (provincial) Inspector of Municipalities for approval. Once approval has been granted from the province, the bylaw will be brought to the board for adoption," said Byron.. RDNO is also looking at ways to expand capacity of the existing service. That would be done by adding two runs a day when university classes are in sessions and decreasing the runs during the off-season in the summer. Long-term, adding a third bus to the route is also being considered.

District changes UBC bus routes

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 25, 2012 1:00 AM
Measures are being taken to ease congestion on a popular bus route. The Regional District of North Okanagan is proposing to add two daily runs between Vernon and Kelowna when the University of B.C. is in session from fall to spring. The goal is to try and accommodate more students, many of whom are left standing on the side of the road because the two buses are full. “It’s clear that there’s a need,” said chairperson Patrick Nicol. The number of trips per day would go from eight to 10. To ensure there are the funds to add the two runs, about four runs will be cut during the summer when the university is not operating. Initiating the new schedule will depend on approval from B.C. Transit. If the plan proceeds, the trip changes will be reviewed in May. “How did that work? Is there still a demand for a third bus?” said David Sewell, general manager of finance. While some residents have demanded a third bus, RDNO officials have stated that other options for improving service should be considered first. “It’s a gradual way to do it. The costs of the service are increasing,” said Nicol. The local contribution to operate each bus is about $120,000 per year, with B.C. Transit providing a similar amount. Besides students, the other focus for the Kelowna route is residents accessing doctors’ appointments, work or shopping. “There is the potential for the general public to use the bus as a connector,” said director Juliette Cunningham. RDNO is currently going through a legislative process to establish a transit service to UBC. Virtually all RDNO members fund one bus to UBC. But when a second bus began in 2010, only Vernon picked up that cost. RDNO members have now agreed to fund the second bus and that requires the creation of a funding service. If 10 per cent of electors sign an alternate approval petition opposing the service by Monday, the function cannot proceed.

Plan For More UBCO Bus Runs

Written by Glen Morrison  107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 22 November 2012 15:05 
  Regional transit users, specifically the ones on the Vernon to UBC-Okanagan run, will be getting some relief from overcrowding soon. RDNO chair Patrick Nicol says they'll reduce summer runs when school is out, allowing for two additional runs a day when it's in. He says that plan should start "early in the new year." "So it's underway. It's not as fast as we all would like, but it's faster than we thought we'd be able to do," Nicol tells Kiss FM. Nicol says there'll be another decision around May next year, on a third bus, which will be based on the number of users. "It would be the Nova, the new bus that carries a few more people, and then we would have the ability to move more people to UBCO." The board also discussed using double-decker buses, but favoured the Novas. The improvements are contingent on an RDNO alternative approval process on cost sharing for the second bus, the one Vernon's been funding alone. That closes at 4 Monday afternoon requiring 6,218 voters (10% of 62,175 qualified electors) to say no for it to fail.

Call for action over crammed bus

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 19, 2012 1:00 AM
Pressure could ultimately be eased on the North Okanagan’s busiest transit route.  The Regional District of North Okanagan and B.C. Transit are trying to determine how to provide additional runs to the University of B.C. in Kelowna. “The service (currently) leaves students behind,”  said director Rob Sawatzky. “Assisting young people and improving that run is a priority.” Staff and B.C. Transit are considering options, including the schedule and whether there may be a need for a third bus. Because another bus is costly, Sawatzky wonders if there are other steps that can be taken like reworking the schedule and going from eight to 10 trips during the school year. “Is there an option to do it without any additional cost?” The RDNO board has approved some changes to the UBC schedule. The 6 p.m. departure from Vernon to UBC will move to 1 p.m. This bus will leave UBC at 2 p.m. and it’s anticipated this will help alleviate overcrowding on the 4 p.m. departure from Kelowna. During the Christmas break at UBC, the service will be reduced from eight to four trips per day. The changes are proposed to be implemented within about eight weeks. RDNO is also having to go through a legislative process to establish a transit service to UBC. Virtually all RDNO members 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. RDNO members have now agreed to fund the second bus and that requires the creation of a funding service. However, the provincial government says public approval is required first. If 10 per cent of electors sign an alternate approval petition opposing the establishment of the service by 4 p.m., the function cannot proceed. Director Juliette Cunningham questions why the provincial government is demanding the approval process when there is such a need for the transit service. “The province is encouraging public transit but I find it (process) surprising. It’s a lot we have to go through,” she said.
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UBC transit requires action
By Editorial - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 19, 2012 1:00 AM
The stories almost have urban myth status.  If we haven’t actually met the individual in person, we have all heard of a student waiting in line to go from Vernon to the Univerity of B.C. campus in Kelowna. The bus comes, the doors open, students climb aboard and climb aboard to the point that every last inch is filled. Some students are left sitting on the roadside with no way of heading south to their classes. Now it should be pointed out that politicians and taxpayers haven’t been ignorning the needs of students or others pursuing public transport to Kelowna. After all, there are two buses running up and down Highway 97 and that comes with a steep price. But given the current circumstances, there’s no question that more needs to be done. First, it’s not safe to have standing-room only on vehicles whizzing along at high rates of speed. Secondly, it’s not fair to offer a service and yet potential users are left behind. And thirdly, if the service is not dependable, people will start driving to UBC and that defeats the original goal of transit to remove single-occupancy vehicles from the road. Director Rob Sawatzky has suggested that the regional district tweak the schedule in the hopes that additional occupancy can be generated without hiking costs. While that is ideal, it may be unrealistic and taxpayers may have to bite the bullet and provide the resources for a third bus. There is no easy solution, but compared to other bus routes that are virtually empty, the high-demand UBC function is a nice challenge to actually contend with.

RDNO Items of Interest

Board of Directors Wednesday, October 17, 2012 - 4:00 pm - Regular Agenda 

• C.    DELEGATIONS 1.    Okanagan Basin Water Board - Anna Warwick Sears

• 10. RegionalDistrict North Okanagan Wetland Park – Reverter-    Staff report dated September 24, 2012 RECOMMENDATION 16    Page 52 (Weighted Corporate Vote) That as recommended by the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee, staff be directed to proceed with the execution of the Possibility of Reverter Clause associated with the transfer of the Lot 1, Section 25, TWP 9, KAP52756 (Property behind Regional District)

• 12. Schedule Change for UBCO #90 Transit Route -    Staff report dated October 5, 2012
  RECOMMENDATION 18    Page 64 (Weighted Stakeholder Vote – Excludes Electoral Areas C and E) That the Implementation Agreement from BC Transit dated October 1, 2012 for service changes to the #90 Route (North Okanagan Connector) attached to the staff report dated October 5, 2012 - Schedule Change for UBCO #90 Transit Route, be endorsed.

Greyhound seeks to cut bus service

 Saturday, 13 October 2012 02:00 Kelowna Daily Courier

Greyhound bus service through the Okanagan could be cut in half.  Citing heavy financial losses across B.C., the company is applying to reduce the frequency of service on 15 routes around the province.   Unless the Passenger Transportation Board approves the reductions, the company warns, "(we) are prepared to cease operating bus service in B.C.," according to information on the company's website.   Greyhound says it lost $14.1 million last year, and describes the situation as "unsustainable." The company cites declining ridership, and rising fuel and operating costs for the financial losses. But it also blames the introduction of heavily subsidized BC Transit routes, such as the one linking Kelowna and Vernon, and patient transportation programs operated by Interior Health which, it says, is open to abuse.  "No doctor's referral of any kind is required to access these heavily subsidized services," reads part of Greyhound's application to the PTB.   In the Okanagan, the company wants to reduce the number of daily trips between Kelowna and Penticton from four to two, drop one of the three daily connections between Kelowna and Vancouver, and reduce service from Kelowna to the Kootenays.   The president of the union that represents Greyhound drivers is urging people to protest against the planned service reductions before Wednesday's deadline for public comment.   Gary Galbreath of the Amalgamated Transit Union says similar service cutbacks in the Prairie provinces have had a devastating impact, particularly in smaller communities.   "Greyhound seems to be concentrating more and more on freight service and less on passenger service," Galbreath says.

Options Considered For Full UBCO Buses

Written by Glen Morrison  107.5 KISSFM Friday, 12 October 2012 12:11
BC Transit says the bus service from Vernon to the University of BC-Okanagan campus in Kelowna is still running over capacity. Transit spokesperson Meribeth Burton says on some days, students are not getting on. "We're having full capacity loads, and in some cases we are having to leave people behind, upwards to ten people behind on peak trips in the morning, and even coming home, in one case, we had students left at the college, eight of them at one time," says Burton. She says BC Transit met with Regional District of North Okanagan staff Thursday. "We've decided that over the next two to three weeks the regional district would like to see improved service to prevent anyone from being left behind on their way to the campus, so what we're trying to decide is some options." Burton says those options include the regional district looking at creative ways to redirect current service hours, or expand the hours of service. "So sometime within the next month, there will be a meeting and there will be decisions made, and I think the students that rely on the service can rest assured that both the political and BC Transit will are on side to make some improvements as quickly as possible." Burton says it would cost the regional district an extra $19,000 a year to add an extra morning trip, but that doesn't include the cost of a new bus.

Route 90 — North Okanagan Connector - To UBCO
(Effective Sun Sep 2, 2012 until further notice)

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Lumby backs second bus

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 26, 2012 1:00 AM
Lumby is on board with transit.  Council has given two readings to a bylaw that would see the village fund a second bus between Vernon and the University of B.C. campus in Kelowna. “We’re encouraging our students to use it,” said Mayor Kevin Acton. “It’s a long drive from Lumby to Kelowna and if they use the bus, it’s better for the environment and it gets congestion off the highway.” Lumby and most other Regional District of North Okanagan members have supported one bus to UBC for years. 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.
However, RDNO jurisdictions decided in February to financially support the second bus based on ridership. “If there’s half-a-dozen riders from here, that’s what it will cost for Lumby,” said Acton. Based on ridership, the village will pick up about 0.3 per cent of the service budget.

No UBCO Bus Solution

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM  Tuesday, 07 August 2012 04:18
  There's been no solution yet to overcrowded buses taking students from Vernon to the University of BC Okanagan campus in Kelowna.  That means it will likely be standing room only again for many riders when classes resume next month. Meribeth Burton from BC Transit says there may be improvements soon, but she notes it's up to local governments to add extra buses or change schedules. "Part of what's slowing down this process was determining what the local government cost sharing would be on the 90 route (to UBCO). Now that's in place, BC Transit is really hopeful we can move forward to address this problem." Burton says Transit is on side with adding more frequent trips, especially on the peak hours to better meet the demand.

Transit bylaws raise questions for Spallumcheen

By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning StarPublished: June 24, 2012 1:00 AM

The administrator read the bylaws for more than an hour and still needed help with its explanation. One councillor kept asking if he was reading the bylaws right.  Spallumcheen council and staff were admittedly puzzled over the Regional District of North Okanagan’s request to discuss a UBC Okanagan connector transit service establishment bylaw and a transit service establishment amendment bylaw that have been given first readings. Bylaw 2544, the service establishment amendment bylaw, is to be referred to all service participants for comments. Bylaw 2547 is the UBCO connector establishment bylaw. Both pieces of legislation were hard to follow said township administrator Lynda Shykora, a longtime veteran of bylaw procedures. “I went through the bylaw amendments for about an hour and still had to call the regional district for an explanation,” said Shykora. “They walked me through the process, and I wanted to make sure I had it right.” Shykora explained that bylaw 2547 calls for the regional district’s share of the net annual cost of the UBCO connector transit service be apportioned based on ridership. Changes to the ridership percentages would be made at a minimum every three years based on a two-week on-bus survey. The report given to council from RDNO shows the township’s ridership percentage for the UBCO bus at 1.2 per cent. What troubles Coun. Todd York is a section of the proposed bylaw that shows the regional district’s share of net annual costs would be based on fixed and variable fees. If costs were up to $120,000 a year, Spallumcheen would pay 7.2 per cent of that cost. The section also states all remaining costs shall be apportioned based on ridership with changes made based on on-bus, two-week surveys a minimum of every three years. Spallumcheen’s percentage remains at 1.2 per cent. “I don’t see a saving to township,” said York. “How many riders do we have, 16? At 7.2 per cent of $120,00, we’ll pay $10,000 or $12,000 for those 16 riders on an all-community bus to get to UBCO. “We can buy them a nice van for that and let them drive themselves back and forth,” said York. Council did unanimously vote to support apportioned costs based on ridership percentages, and to review the percentages every three years based on a two-week, on-bus survey.

Vernon in favour of ridership share

By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: June 17, 2012 1:00 AM
One Vernon councillor believes the city and surrounding partners should pay for the UBC Okanagan bus based on riders. The Regional District of North Okanagan has given first reading to a bylaw stating that its share of the net annual cost of the UBCO transit service be apportioned based on ridership with changes to the ridership percentages made at a minimum every three years, based on a two week on-bus survey. Patrick Nicol, who is also the chairperson for RDNO, thinks the bylaw should be tweaked. “I would recommend that the partners participate in the UBCO service based on ridership,” said Nicol. “But I’d like to see an annual survey, and that prior to June 30 of 2013 there be a discussion of additional service for UBCO trips prior to September.” Figures released by RDO show that Vernon has 70 per cent ridership, followed by Coldstream at 20. 6 per cent. Electoral Area B has 6.6 per cent ridership and the Township of Spallumcheen sits at 1.2 per cent. All of the other partners – Armstrong, Enderby, Lumby and Electoral Areas D and F are at less than one per cent. Nicol said Electoral Area C also wants to be part of the partnership. He added that a working group on the proposal could consider reducing UBCO service through the summer months, May to August, but without any additional cost they could increase trips in the other eight months, September to April. “We should be trying to encourage transit not only for students but for non-students as well,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. Vernon council unanimously supported Nicol’s motion. The City of Armstrong, at its regular council meeting, deferred any decision until they get more figures on the ridership.

Bus Sevice Reviewed

Written by Glen Morrison 107.5 KISSFM  Wednesday, 30 May 2012 02:21 
  There will be another review of ridership on the overcrowded buses running from Vernon TO UBCO. B.C. Transit's Meribeth Burton says with the city covering about 75 percent of the cost it seems time to equalize the local cost. She says "Essentially it's being asked for the regions to look at ridership and pay for the service based on ridership in that respective region." Burton says it's a very successful service, and one Transit is keen to see continue, but with the costs better reflective of the region. Transit will do the survey work, but it's not clear if there could be an additional bus for September, as the region will have to move quickly to get that to happen.

It's all aboard for the BX on university bus route

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 17, 2012 7:00 AM
 A longtime hold-out is getting on the bus. BX-Silver Star director Mike Macnabb has announced he will join other Regional District of North Okanagan jurisdictions in supporting the transit service to the University of B.C. campus. “It’s the right thing to do,” he said of supporting students, shoppers and people who work in Kelowna. “It’s naive to think Area C residents are not using it already.” All other RDNO jurisdictions, except for BX-Silver Star and Cherryville, have funded one bus to UBC for a number of years. There is also a process underway for them to participate in a second bus, which Vernon has been funding on its own since 2010. Macnabb isn’t sure what the UBC route will cost his constituents but he is confident there will be support for the long-haul trip between Vernon and Kelowna. “It reduces the need for commuting,” he said. But while Macnabb has endorsed the UBC service, he is still unwilling to pay for community-based transit in the region. “Nobody (in his area) is jumping up and down for transit,” he said. RDNO directors had been presented with a funding formula for the UBC service that included a budget based on both fixed funding and ridership. However, staff has been instructed to develop a cost-recovery formula based on ridership only.

Review of transit welcomed

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 18, 2012 1:00 AM
Local officials hope a review of B.C. Transit will lead to increased efficiencies and responsiveness. Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom recently announced plans for an independent investigation of B.C. Transit’s performance and operations.  “I believe he is responding to municipalities and regional districts to examine B.C. Transit’s role with municipalities in planning now and in the future and speeding the processes up to allow willing communities and regional districts to move forward more rapidly when they have approved increases in service,” said Patrick Nicol, Regional District of North Okanagan chairperson. “I applaud the minister for taking a careful look. It is a vital service.” The three-person review panel will consider the efficiency and effectiveness of transit services, the existing governance structure and policies, the funding relationship between B.C. Transit and local governments and communication between the Crown agency and municipalities and regional districts. “It’s a positive move,” said Bob Spiers, a Vernon councillor, of the review. Presently, Vernon pays 53 per cent of the cost of transit through fares and taxation while 47 per cent of the local service budget comes from B.C. Transit. “It’s a big ticket item and it’s something we need to look at further as we consider expanding (the service),” said Spiers. It’s expected the panel members will submit a final report to Lekstrom by the end of August. “B.C. Transit provides good transit service, although there is always  room to improve,” said Lekstrom in a release. “I have selected a knowledgeable and experienced panel  that will examine the issues and provide recommendations. I am optimistic  the independent B.C. Transit review will help make transit even better.”
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HandiDart Transit

Vernon Transit

Don Quixote Note: According to the 2012 budget ( 2012-2016 Financial Plan - 64.60MB P.78-80) the tax cost for the Conventional Transit in Vernon 2012 is a Net Cost of  $1,121,585 (an increase of $150,446 over 2011 budget).  The 2012 Proposed Net Cost for Custom transit (HandiDart) is $241,275. (An increase of 19,137 over 2011 budget). The costs for Vernon's share of regional transit including the UBCO 90 Bus are extra and are included in the RDNO Budget. The Vernon's share of this Tax Requistion is $190,084

EDITORIAL: Regional transit support ideal

By Editorial - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 03, 2012 1:00 AM

There’s another clear indication that co-operation has resurfaced in the North Okanagan.  All jurisdictions within the regional transit system have agreed to fund the second bus that has been travelling between Vernon and the University of B.C.’s Kelowna campus since 2010 (they all pay for the first bus). Funding was increasingly a bone of contention for Vernon, which absorbed the entire $120,000 annual cost for the second bus, subsidizing users from the outlying communities. For some jurisdictions like Enderby, few of their residents are hopping on to the bus to get to UBC or other activities in Kelowna, like shopping, work or doctors. But, there are other, and specifically Coldstream, which would account for a significant number of the people catching a ride down the highway. It wasn’t a fair situation and if the roles were reversed, Coldstream or the other communities would be frustrated if it was Vernon getting a free ride. Even if there are few users in some communities, the entire North Okanagan benefits from the service. It makes post-secondary education more accessible for our youth and that means they can remain here instead of leaving the valley. Transit also gets vehicles off the road, which is good for the air that we breathe. A long-term funding model is now being developed for UBC transit, and that’s good news, as the service is over-capacity and many students are left standing on the side of the road. A third bus is going to be required sooner than later and a regional focus will continue to be needed.

RDNO Backs Second UBCO Bus

Written by Peter McIntyre   107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 02 February 2012 16:55 
There's more regional support for the second bus taking students from Vernon to UBC-Okangan in Kelowna, but that won't bring a quick end to the packed buses. The city of Vernon had been the sole provider of the 120-thousand cost for the second bus, but now most of the Regional District of North Okanagan participants have joined in. RDNO chair Patrick Nicol says the partnership should also bring more funding to improve the service. "Increasing the frequency will allow for greater use of the service and a little more spread out. It will give people a few different options, earlier and in the mid-day, that kind of thing." The deal means RDNO is funding both BC Transit buses to the university. BX-Silver Star and Cherryville are the only RDNO members not paying into the service, with their directors arguing their residents don't benefit from it. Nicol says he's hopeful those electoral areas (C and E) will get on board and make contributions in 2013.