Photo: City of Kelowna

Residents of the Central Okanagan are invited to share their feedback on the region's first transportation plan.

The first of its kind region-wide draft plan was released on June 11 following more than two years of studies, consultations, regional partnerships and collaborations.

“We’re asking the public to review and share their thoughts on some of the key components of the draft Regional Transportation Plan,” says integrated transportation department manager with the City of Kelowna and administrator of the sustainable transportation partnership of the Central Okanagan Rafael Villareal.

“It’s important that we hear from those with diverse interests in regional transportation, and we  encourage all Central Okanagan residents to get involved.” 

The public is invited to review and share their thoughts on the plan until August 20 through the Connecting Our Region online open house or by registering for the Zoom panel discussion here.

Participants in the open house will have the chance to enter to win a $700 gift card to a locally owned bike shop of their choosing.

Following the feedback period, the plan will be updated and with the final versions expected to appear in the STPCO councils and the RDCO Board later this year.

The plan focuses on a number of priorities for the Central Okanagan to achieve over the next 20 years including: connecting people and places across the region, helping people of all ages and abilities get around, achieving fast and reliable transit, moving people and goods more efficiently, preparing for future population growth and technology innovations, creating a safe and convenient region-wide bike and trail network, reducing the growth of traffic congestion and greenhouse gases and supporting the region’s economic recovery post COVID-19.  

“We see a future where bike and trail networks are integrated with transit, urban centres and regional destinations such as hospitals, the airport and universities,” says Villareal. “We want to set a course for a future where people can make sustainable and affordable transportation choices.” 

Recommendations in the plan include expanding transit services and improving transit infrastructure, 81 additional kilometres of biking and trail facilities, a regional goods movement study, roadway improvements, mobility hubs and more.

These priorities coincide with what has been heard from communities throughout the region and they require further studies and partnership with BC Transit and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.