Okanagan transit lobby group disappointed with BC Transit decision to renew TransDev contract

An Okanagan transit lobby group is not impressed with BC Transit's decision to renew its contract with the international public transit operator TransDev.

Okanagan Transit Alliance expects local transit systems to stay underserved until they are managed locally.

On April 1, the operating contract between BC Transit and TransDev Canada will be renewed, according to an emailed statement from BC Transit. TransDev will be held responsible for the daily management of local transit systems for the next two years.

Transit alliance spokesperson Kirstin Pulles says the private contracting model BC Transit relies on to manage local transit systems has led to many system failures and will continue to do so.

READ MORE: BC Transit and TransDev renew controversial contract in Okanagan, Kamloops

"A renewal of the contract means more of the same, and more of the same across the Okanagan means not great service, infrequent service, not a super reliable system," she says.

"We are arguing that because of the extra funds that TransDev takes out of our community as profit, we would much rather see that reinvested in our community. We would much rather see transparent local decision making. We would much rather see the jobs that are going to TransDev become really awesome local jobs in our community and we'd also like to see the workers paid more."

Pulles says low wages and benefits for Okanagan transit staff is concerning.

"Part of the reason that buses aren't staying on the road is because they don't have drivers to build the seats," she says. "They had a huge reduction in service a couple of years ago because they couldn't keep drivers. The drivers here are underpaid three to five dollars an hour less compared to similar transit systems across BC."

Another issue the transit alliance has identified with contracting they transit system management to TransDev is the company's lack of transparency.

They've tried contacting BC Transit and TransDev to get more information, but have been left with unanswered questions.

"We've asked about performance indicators, we've asked how much money they're paying them, we've asked how these decisions are made and we get very generic answers like, 'We have robust measurement systems' without really saying anything," she says. "Considering it's a public service paid for by public funds, why is there no information shared, why is there no data, no evidence? If they think this is the right way to do this, they need to show us why."

Two years is a short period of time for this type of contract, which are usually seven or nine years long and that gives them some hope BC Transit might be hearing their concerns.

"Our sense is that BC Transit is not committing to another decade of TransDev," Pulles says. "We're not the only region with these issues and I think BC Transit is getting these complaints across the board and they can sense that people are paying attention and asking questions about these contracts.

"So, as long as the spotlight is on this and there's scrutiny, they are considering whether or not this is really the right model."

The Okanagan Transit Alliance is a lobby group that advocates for a public, accessible and community-driven transit system.

TransDev is an international company based out of France that operates public transportation systems in 17 countries.

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