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 or 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.
Public Consultation
The 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
Bus Rapid Transit Implementation
The City of Kelowna and regional partners are implementing the first phase of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plan which will introduce 12 double-decker buses to service the areas of West Kelowna, First Nations and strategic locations (UBCO, Orchard Park and Rutland Town Centre). BRT services will be phased in over the next two years beginning in the fall of 2009.
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 enrollment. Approximately 4800 students were enrolled for the winter 07/08 session. Student enrollment is expected to increase to 7,500 by 2012.
