South Okanagan Transit Future Plan moves into new phase with board approval

PENTICTON – The region’s long term transit plan took a step forward wiht the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board’s approval of the Transit Future Plan.

The document describes a vision for the South Okanagan’s transit network over the next 25 years.

Regional Transit manager Daniel Pizarro told the board the next steps are not budgetary ones, but include formation of a transit committee which will recommend local transit changes, improve resource allocation, while determining service areas and the administration of the system.

Pizarro said regionalization of the area’s tranist system would go a long way towards increasing ridership and improving connections other South Okanagan communities.

Area D Director Tom Siddon wasn’t happy with the report’s lack of reference to the community of Kaleden. He said he would not support approval unless the report made reference to community's transit needs. Electoral B director George Bush and electoral area G director Elef Christensen also pointed out their communities weren’t mentioned in the report.

The report received the board's approval despite the opposition from the three rural directors.

The Transit Future Plan now goes to B.C. Transit Board for approval.

The inaugural regional transit committee is expected to begin meeting sometime later this year.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.