Transit changes coming

Photo: BC Transit

Kelowna city council has approved the Transit Future Action Plan, which targets a number of short, medium and long-range service and infrastructure improvements.

Several service upgrades are planned for September in four areas, including the No. 8 University route, service through Academy Way, the numbers 13 (Quail Ridge) and 15 (Crawford Estates), and the No. 4 UBCO/Pandosy route.

Transit manager Jerry Dombowsky told council the top priority is to improve service on the No. 8 which, along with the No. 97, are the top routes in the system based on ridership and service hours.

"In September, we are looking at increasing service to 20 minutes on the No. 8, which would provide increased frequency and some relief to those periods where we are seeing overcrowding and pass-ups," said Dombowsky.

There would also be expansion to the Sunday service.

With the growing population and density in the Academy Way area, Dombowsky says there are already frequent overloads on that route.

"We are exploring a new route that would go between UBCO and Sexsmith and provide a loop for those students to and from the campus."

There are also changes contemplated for service in Quail Ridge. Currently, small 20-seat buses provide service every 30 minutes. Transit is contemplating introducing a larger bus and going to hourly service.

Dombowsky says they will consult the public before implementing that change.

Improvements are also contemplated for Crawford Estates and the No. 4 through Rutland.

Transit will hold public engagements in February before returning to council with a final series of recommendations in March.