The much anticipated expansion of transit services in the Central Okanagan began very quietly over the weekend.

The new service was unveiled several months ago when the province injected an additional $432,000, allowing Kelowna Transit to increase service by seven per cent.

The expansion includes extended night service on major night routes, more service on Sunday and holidays and expanded service to Lake Country.

Kelowna Transit says major routes will operate from 8 a.m. past 10:30 p.m. Sundays and holidays.

The expansion also includes four trips per day between downtown Vernon and the transit exchange at UBC Okanagan, allowing passengers to make connections with the Kelowna Transit System.

"When we launched U-PASS last year, UBC-O students asked for transit service between Vernon and Kelowna," says Regional District Chair, Robert Hobson.

"We are pleased the Vernon Regional Transit System is putting the service on the road and we're sure that students, as well as commuters and shoppers, will see the benefits of transit for themselves."

In addition, 10 new double decker buses will be added to the fleet later this fall.