More than 400 concerned residents and 30 organizations have had it with transit woes in the Okanagan.
On April 26, the Okanagan Transit Alliance spearheaded a letter, alongside 29 other organizations and hundreds of residents to Okanagan city councils and who it believes are the relevant provincial ministers, urging immediate action to address the challenges facing public transit in the region.
The letter is signed by businesses such as Chickpeace Zero Waste Refillery and Urban Harvest Organic Delivery, as well as community groups like the Kelowna Métis Association and the Kelowna Area Cycling Coalition, and individuals, all of whom are urging transformative changes to the public transit system to combat rising living costs, tackle climate change, and improve housing accessibility.
According to the Okanagan Transit Alliance (OTA), Kelowna’s Transportation Master Plan states that the city was designed around the car and that residents drive the equivalent of going to the moon and back three times every weekday. The city also uses more space for parking than for housing, according to Kirstin Pulles, a steering committee member with the Okanagan Transit Alliance.
“Investing in public transportation is key to creating an accessible, vibrant, and sustainable community, so let’s design a system that really meets people’s needs,” said Pulles.
Demands outlined in the open letter include:
- Local Management: Transitioning transit management to a publicly accountable model to ensure transparency and responsiveness to community needs.
- HandyDART Expansion: Extending HandyDART services to operate seven days a week, bringing equity to people’s essential mobility needs.
Frequent Service Development: Prioritizing the establishment of frequent transit routes in high-density areas and committing to the timely expansion of transit infrastructure.
- Fare-Free Youth Transit: Extending fare-free transit eligibility to youth aged 18 and under to promote sustainable transportation habits and reduce financial barriers for families.
Pulles said the open letter coincides with a pivotal meeting between the Okanagan Transit Authority (OTA) and Minister of Transportation and Highways Rob Fleming. “During the meeting, representatives from the OTA will present their transit priorities and advocate for the implementation of the proposed changes to improve public transit in the region,” explained Pulles.
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