Transit policies raise concerns
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
A Vernon politician believes public demands for transit are hitting a roadblock.
Coun. Buffy Baumbrough says there have been proposals to either expand transit or adjust routes but they’ve been denied by B.C. Transit.
“Given the direction the city is taking with transportation demand management and what’s in our official community plan, there is the potential for a real loss,” she said during Tuesday’s council meeting.
“It’s important for us to do what we can to improve service as fast as possible.”
The local transit committee had suggested shifting some routes as a way of improving service, but B.C. Transit says that can’t occur until there is a review.
“It didn’t involve another bus but more drivers would be needed because we would have been changing hours,” said Baumbrough.
The other issue of concern is the route between Vernon and the University of B.C. campus in Kelowna.
“It is already full but B.C. Transit has said it will be extremely difficult to get another bus even though it was promised,” said Baumbrough.
Mayor Wayne Lippert says he understands Baumbrough’s concerns but points out that the provincial agency is taking Vernon’s needs seriously and one route cannot be looked at in isolation from others.
“They recognize something needs to be done. They look at the whole system and not part of it,” he said.
v2
