Buses could ultimately run into more Vernon neighbourhoods.
City council has given the green light to a service review, which will look at transit needs up to 2016.
“It’s an opportunity to improve the service so more people are able to use it,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough.
One of the goals of the review, which will be completed by September, is to look at routes and determine if changes are required, particularly in current neighbourhoods or new areas that may develop.
“We have the Hesperia lands. We have Anderson Way. We have the new library and we have Kal Tire (new head office),” said Amanda Watson, transportation technician, of possible routes that could be considered.
“I’ve received requests for service at Paddlewheel Park, the Foothills and even from residents of Lake Country so they can come to work in Vernon.”
It’s been suggested in the past that smaller, 20-seat buses go into some areas like Bella Vista, the Foothills and East Hill and then feed passengers for larger buses on main routes.
Coun. Shawn Lee wants that concept investigated again.
“That would make things more efficient economically,” he said.
“We could also look at some roads where we can’t put larger buses on them because of their size. This may increase ridership.”
The service review will also involve transit partners such as Coldstream, B.C. Transit and the North Okanagan Regional District.
The hope is to get even more regional residents to park their vehicles and take the bus.
“These people are driving into the city on city roads and then parking,” said Watson of the demands on infrastructure.
But Mayor Wayne Lippert wants to know if the process will attempt to get non-participants involved in the service, and particularly BX-Silver Star.
“Is there an opportunity to speak to them about being involved because I’ve had calls from residents there asking about it (transit),” he said.
Baumbrough wants the transit review to consider issues surrounding food security.
“We want to ensure people can get to farmers’ markets and grocery stores,” she said.
But Baumbrough admits that any potential expansion of transit comes with a price.
“It’s always a balancing act between providing the service and the budget,” she said.
