Protest against BC Transit fare hikes set for Kelowna
Higher fares for transit riders in the Central Okanagan came into effect last week, and a protest has been set for later this month.
The fare for a single ride went up 20 per cent from $2.50 to $3 on Oct. 1.
BC Transit increased all fares including DayPASS prices from $5 to $6 and monthly bus passes from $70 to $80. It also eliminated the 90-minute window for transfers, 10 ride fares and paper tickets.
Silver Wadien has organized a protest against the fare hikes at the bus depot at 1494 Hardy Street at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
“Personally, I struggle with disabilities and I’ve been low income quite a bit in the past, and I have friends who are all low income, disabled, who are being really badly affected by this,” Wadien told iNFOnews.ca. “There’s definitely tons of people who are going to be affected. A lot of the demographic that rides the bus are low income, can’t afford sudden change.”
Wadien said the fare hike wasn’t well communicated to riders who have been waiting on improvements like more benches, shelters and bus routes.
“If myself and my friends are being affected, there’s definitely tons of people who are going to be affected. A lot of the demographic that rides the bus are low income and can’t afford sudden change,” Wadien told iNFOnews.ca.
“I just want to really encourage people to come out and protest because I think that the most vulnerable people in our community really need us to stand up. I think if we leave them behind, we leave morality behind.”
The fare changes are affecting the entire Kelowna system including West Kelowna, Lake Country, Westbank, Peachland and Regional District of Central Okanagan.
BC Transit is a Crown corporation, but its operation has been contracted out to a private company Transdev in many communities around the province, including Kelowna and Vernon. Transdev is headquartered in France.
BC Transit renewed its contract with TransDev Canada in 2024, so the company will continue operating the public transit system until at least April 1, 2026.
TransDev’s contract with BC Transit has been controversial in the past with advocacy groups like the Okanagan Transit Alliance and the Transit Union Local 1722 voicing concerns.
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The newest prices BC Transit has implemented have effectively trapped those who are disabled and low income. These people are our neighbors, our friends and family. They deserve advocacy, a chance to move around the community. To get to appointments, to shop, to participate in society. BC Transit would put an end to most of that should we let this slide. Single parents, seniors, students, youth, adults, those who work and those who can’t work all use these services. We cannot let the city think we would stand for this, especially during a recession. Please stand with those less fortunate, please don’t let this be silenced.