Travel the Okanagan way

Photo: Adam Proskiw

For many Canadians over the holidays, the decision to travel by car, bus or plane is often made out of necessity rather than choice.

A recent Castanet poll asked readers how they would be travelling during the holidays.  Of the 1248 responses, 67% said they would be staying home.  The rest had a decision to make.

Pat and Don of Enderby chose to fly this year.  They have a new baby and were concerned that the roads would be too dangerous for their new family. 

“We don’t drive if the roads are bad,” said Pat, surrounded by suitcases and with a baby in her lap.”

“It’s less stressful for us.”

For Shirley and Donalda, both residents of Kelowna, the flight option is impractical.  Shirley decided to make the 5-hour bus ride to visit her father, who is 92.  He lives in Langley and the closest practical airport is in Vancouver.

“There’s no other option,” she said.

Donalda needs to be in Burnaby with her son and his family and finds the bus a safer alternative to driving.

 “It is a bit longer [of a drive], but I just relax.  It works for me,” she said.

Aside from the usual challenges all travellers face, the holidays bring additional hassles and headaches.

“The buses were almost all full,” said Shirley, who got the last ticket that was available that day.

Even those who chose to fly were faced with longer than usual lines and wait times.

According to Janelle Hynes, YLW spokesperson, the airport will service 60,000 travellers during the two week holiday peak.  The busiest day will be Dec 27 with over 5000 travellers.