Different approaches are being taken to a proposed shuttle service in the North Okanagan.
The Village of Lumby has endorsed plans from Kamloops Transportation to run a private bus, while the City of Enderby is expressing some reservations.
“It seems like a great idea,” said Kevin Acton, Lumby mayor.
Kamloops Transportation is proposing a shuttle connector between North Okanagan communities and Kelowna daily.
“Our service will be a primarily light bus service to enhance the existing service and the scheduling will be adjusted to accommodate the schedules of Greyhound and the medical bus,” said Abdul Rasheed, president.
Enderby council has not endorsed the concept at this point.
“We don’t want to undermine the transit service we are subsidizing already but if it can be integrated, there could be benefits,” said Howie Cyr, Enderby mayor.
Enderby has asked the Regional District of North Okanagan to review the potential impact on transit.
“We want to know if it may work with the transit system, and specifically from Enderby to Salmon Arm,” said Cyr.
Acton doesn’t believe Kamloops Transportation would compete with transit.
“They are going after a completely different market. They are looking at tourists or seniors needing to spend the day in Kelowna,” he said.
Kamloops Transportation would charge one-way fares of $30 between Lumby and Kelowna and $10 from Lumby to Vernon.
“We will work with B.C. Transit and the municipalities to see if the taxi saver coupons or the municipal travel vouchers can be used by seniors on our service,” said Rasheed.
