Plans for a UBC Okanagan transit exchange are coming together.
Requests for Proposals have been issued for the construction of a new transit exchange at the UBC Okanagan campus. The RFPs reflect the entirety of the project, from design to construction.
The project, which was announced in June of last year, will include up to nine new bus bays and four bus layover stations, as well as transit shelters, transit lanes on Alumni Avenue and Transit Way (a roadway that will be created as part of the project), and bicycle storage lockers.
“Providing access to reliable public transportation and world class education are core commitments of the province,” said MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country Norm Letnick. “With this announcement, we are delivering real progress on both fronts – which is exciting for the Kelowna community.”
“Kelowna is a thriving city and UBC Okanagan is at the heart of our community,” said MLA for Kelowna-Mission Steve Thomson. “This expansion will benefit current and future students, and will position the community for continued growth for years to come.”
The new transit exchange project is the result of a partnership between the Government of Canada, Province of BC, UBC Okanagan and the City of Kelowna.
The new facility is part of the almost $160 million in federal and provincial funding for BC Transit projects that was announced in June.
“As a core hub in the Kelowna region, effective and efficient transit to UBC Okanagan is a key priority,” said Manuel Achadinha, BC Transit President and Chief Executive Officer.
“This new exchange will allow us to better connect people and communities.”
The new transit exchange will be able to better support transit services at UBC Okanagan currently and in the future, and integrates into the Kelowna Rapid Bus project that was completed in 2014. The Kelowna Regional Transit System has 28 routes and welcomes over 4.9 million passengers annually.
“As Kelowna grows, so does demand for sustainable transportation options,” said Jerry Dombowsky, Transit and Programs Manager at the City of Kelowna. “With these expansions at UBC Okanagan, we are taking proactive steps towards boosting the capacity of our transit system.”
“We know a significant portion of our student base relies on public transit to get to and from campus,” said Robert Einarson, Assoc. Vice-President, Finance and Operations, at UBC Okanagan. “This investment on our campus helps put our students first, providing them with reliable transportation options that complement their world-class education experience.”
Provincial, federal and local funding for Kelowna also means the addition of improved technology, including:
• Real Time capability that will utilize automatic vehicle locators, allowing passengers to know exactly when their bus will arrive.
• Closed-circuit TV (CCTV) to improve the safety of passengers and drivers.
• Automatic passenger counters, which will enable BC Transit to optimize service delivery based on informed data. For more information on transit in the Kelowna region, please call 250-860-8121 or visit bctransit.com/kelowna.
