Transit not reliable

This is a communication about our Kelowna public transit system. I have been a public transportation user off and on for many years now. I had started petition about them, the schedules and the attitude of some of the drivers. I had communicated with Victoria which told me they have nothing to do with the Kelowna transit and then spoke to Kelowna transit and they said that it is outside sources that made there routes and times. So in short they just kept sending me in circles. So I figure I would try to voice it to you and maybe more people will see and agree and then a difference will be made. Maybe? 

So Kelowna city transit say that they have to adjust schedules and timing, and increase cost do to the fact of the economy, and that if there where more riders, then they would be more flexible.

Here is the problem. It is all based on a trust factor. We the riders need to be able to trust the schedules and that the buses are going to be there on time. On more than 4 occasions they have not been and that is just for me. One time being just last week. The schedule stated that the bus would be at the stop in Westbank for 6:45 pm. I waited there till 7:10 and still no bus (frustrating). We the riders would like to consider using the public transit for a reliable source of transportation but, it is not reliable. Hence they end up with less riders and higher revue cost. And then again today I was awaiting the Route 20 bus and it was said to be there at my stop for 1:28 pm and I had arrived there at 1:20 pm to insure that it wasn't early and just drives by. The bus never ended up showing up until 1:38 pm. I know that it’s not a super big deal, but when you need to catch the next bus at the junctions and it leaves at a certain time, and then bus you are on is late causing late arrival at the junction then we miss the other bus. Therefore causing the rider to be late getting to there required destination. Ie: work, doctors, etc. 

The riders need to know that our bus system is going to be a reliable source of transportation for us, the riders, to be going out and paying for the monthly bus passes and to know that we are going to arrive at our desired location on time. Because if we are late for work our employers will not be happy with us. And based on the schedules for me as a rider, I am either having to be an hour early for work or half hour late (if the bus is on time and shows up). Hence we need to know we can rely on the times that are published in the riders guide. 

If the times that are published were reliable and we could insure that we will have the transportation we require, then we will have more trust in the Kelowna public transit system and therefor will create more riders. But, if we can’t trust the public transit, then we have to find alternative solutions, which will leave them with fewer riders.

Hope this gets a point across somewhere.

Shyla Prozeller