Trial night bus alleviates traffic, reduces drunk driving

By Julie Whittet

City Council approved today a recommendation to continue two new bus services introduced as an experiment last September.

In the first four months of their trial operation, the Quail Ridge Service and the Late Night 97 Express Service far exceeded the minimum ridership threshold of 12 rides/hour  required by the Kelowna Transit System. The two routes averaged at 32 rides/hour, with the Quail ridge service reaching 25 rides/hour.

Jerry Dombowsky, Regional Programs Manager for the City of Kelowna, said the trial services have gained a strong ridership, particularly among college students. The Late Night service has given 5,000 safe rides home to the city's student community. Kelowna RCMP have also said the night bus helps to relieve weekend traffic congestion in the downtown core, and reduces incidents of impaired driving. 

The trial bus services were negotiated by the UBC Okanagan Student Union, as compensation for an increase in student transit fares introduced in January, 2012.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Julie Whittet at jwhittet@infotelnews.ca or call (250) 718-0428.