Transit Expansion
Where do buses fit in your neighbourhood?
Development patterns within North America are changing. There is an increasing awareness that inefficient land use development within our towns and cities, made possible by the automobile, is not sustainable in the long term. New emphasis is being placed upon the notion of integrated transportation and land use planning known as Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).
TOD can best be described as compact, mixed-use development providing places to live, work, shop and learn – in a pedestrian-friendly environment, built nearby convenient public transit, to enable less dependency upon the private automobile.
Bus Rapid Transit Implementation
The City of Kelowna and regional partners are implementing the first phase of the Kelowna RapidBus on September 5, 2010. The first phase will connect downtown Kelowna to UBCO. Using limited stops, HOV lanes, and transit signal priority, riders can enjoy the convenience of having direct, limited-stop service along Highway 97 every 15 minutes during peak hours.
RapidBus is a transit system that provides frequent, high capacity service along designated high traffic routes. RapidBus is designed to improve travel time, reliability, passenger comfort, and convenience. For more information on RapidBus visit BC Transit.
Public Consultation
BC Transit 2035 Central Okanagan Master Transit Plan
BC Transit is currently developing the Central Okanagan Transit Master Plan, which will create the future transit network vision. This network includes all regular bus routes, community shuttles, handyDART service, and other services provided by BC Transit. The Transit Master Plan has several components:
- Public consultation (completed Spring/Summer 2010)
- Data collection including automatic passenger counts, surveys and direct public feedback.
- Vision statement
- 25-year transit network
- Steps for implementation
For more information on the BC Transit Central Okanagan Master Transit Plan visit BC Transit
.
A public information session was held on May 25, 2010 to communicate design plans and construction details of projects undertaken in the Parkinson Recreation Center area during the summer of 2010. View the transit corridor and transit shelter design panels shown.
Central Okanagan Smart Transit Plan
The Central Okanagan Smart Transit Plan initiative started in January 2004. Local governments of the Central Okanagan worked closely with BC Transit and the Ministry of Transportation in developing a recommended Transit Plan for the region.
During a series of workshops and open houses (January 2004 – October 2004), the location options for transit exchanges were proposed in the Central Okanagan Smart Transit Plan
Potential hubs including two in the District of West Kelowna, Rutland Town Centre, Orchard Park and at the Mission Aquatic Centre site were identified in the Smart Transit Plan and presented at an open house on June 4, 2004.
Smart Transit Plan - Reports
Final Report
Transit U-Pass
A U-Pass was implemented in September 2007 at UBCO which required students to purchase a bus pass as part of their enrolment. Approximately 4800 students were enrolled for the winter 07/08 session. Student enrolment is expected to increase to 7,500 by 2012.
