South Okanagan Regional Transit System plan needs public approval

PENTICTON – A regional transit system for the South Okanagan has moved a step closer to reality as regional directors voted in favour of a bylaw to establish the service.

Voter assent is still required for the transit service, which will be obtained through the alternate approval process for the entire service area.

Cost of the service is calculated at $5.14 for the average household assessed at $292,000.

The vote returned to the board on Thursday, July 7 as an amended motion made at the board’s previous meeting by Area “D” director Tom Siddon, who wanted to see his area’s portion of cost for the service reduced.

Siddon requested to have only the D-1 portion of his electoral area included in bylaw as those were the only residents in Area “D” who would be directly affected by the service.

The board agreed to the change, which resulted in a reduction in Area “D”s share of the service from 30 per cent to 15 per cent.

“I appreciate the board agreeing to have this come back to the table,” Siddon said.

Initial basic service is expected to expand quickly as the regional district works collaboratively with B.C. Transit to implement the goals of the recently completed Okanagan  Similkameen Transit Future Plan.

The South Okanagan Transit System has been identified by the province a candidate for potential expansion due to increasing ridership and public feedback.

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