Improvements to South Okanagan transit system ready to roll this summer

PENTICTON – The South Okanagan’s Regional Transit System continues to develop following the formation of a regional district working group last May to integrate the various routes and standardize features of the transit system.

B.C. Transit senior regional transit manager Daniel Pizarro addressed the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board yesterday, Feb. 16, to provide directors with a preview of coming changes to the system, scheduled for implementation this summer.

A new, integrated riders guide and fare platform intended to simplify fare structures and standardize all five transit routes have been completed to make access and use of the system easier, Pizarro told the board.

Local fares will cost $2.25 and regional fares will be priced at $4.00.

A single guide covering all five routes will also be introduced this summer, with a single phone number for customer information.

The regional district working group has also put together a set of performance measures designed to monitor system costs and performance. Design standards to provide principles for decision making regarding system design have also been established by the working group.

There will be no changes to the various companies currently operating the system, Pizarro said.

Penticton mayor Andrew Jakubeit asked what the consequence would be of a partner not signing on to the changes.

Pizarro said further discussions would ensue, but any special adjustments of fares for an individual partner would only serve to add confusion for end users.

The changes will now go before various individual boards and councils participating in the system for their endorsement, prior to finalization of the rider's guide.

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