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Transit

One year after killing, why there still aren’t any cameras on Okanagan buses

KAMLOOPS HAS 25 KELOWNA – One year after the horrific killing of a Kelowna man on a B.C. Transit bus and six months after they promised to begin installing them, there still isn’t a single operational camera on any Kelowna buses. Last year, on Oct. 30, Caesar Rosales was killed in front of more than...

Accused bus stabber makes court appearance in Kelowna

KELOWNA - Nearly one year after a Kelowna man was stabbed to death in an allegedly unprovoked and brutal attack on a transit bus, the suspect is in court to find out if there is enough evidence for the trial to proceed. Tyler Jack Newton, 25, is charged with second degree murder for stabbing 55-year-old...

Okanagan Marathon to shut down majority of downtown roads this weekend

KELOWNA - Thousands of runners from across the country will be lacing up their shoes and taking part in the 21st annual BMO Okanagan Marathon in Kelowna this weekend. The race is part of the Okanagan Family Festival Weekend, which includes the 42.2-km marathon, a 21.1-km half marathon, a 10-km run/walk, a 5-km run/walk, a...

Kamloops not alone in opposition to provincial transit funding freeze

KAMLOOPS – Kamloops and dozens of other municipalities are asking the provincial government to reconsider its freeze on transit funding. The city has a resolution at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, which got underway today in Vancouver, asking the delegates to strongly urge the Premier, the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of...

Vaisakhi parade to impact road and transit travel in Rutland

KELOWNA - The Okanagan Sikh Temple and Cultural Society is holding its fifth annual Vaisakhi parade in Rutland next weekend and drivers travelling through the area should be aware of rolling road closures and parking restrictions Traffic control personnel will be on hand for the parade which begins at noon, Saturday, April 25, while road...

New CNG buses ready to hit the streets of Kamloops

KAMLOOPS – A total of 25 compressed natural gas buses will be introduced into service in Kamloops by the end of May. Kamloops is just the second B.C. community to get a fleet of CNG-fueled buses, Nanaimo began using the new fleet in 2014. The natural gas buses have significantly quieter engines and simplified emission...

Province overrules city; transit service increases put on hold

KAMLOOPS - In 2014 Kamloops city council members agreed to adding new transit buses and more service hours but a decision by the province to put a freeze on B.C. Transit funding means there will not be any additional services added this year, or for the next three years. B.C. Transit representatives were before council...

Transit fare increases fall hardest on those with the thinnest wallets

KELOWNA - Council has agreed to raise transit fares in most categories in a bid to increase the amount of money recovered from riders. Some councillors expressed reservations about the move, saying fare increases tend to reduce ridership but in the end all voted to approve the increase. The yes vote doesn't automatically mean the...

Security cameras coming to Kamloops buses

KAMLOOPS - More than a year after it was announced Kamloops would be one of the pilot project locations, B.C. Transit is moving forward with a plan to outfit 100 buses with security cameras. Last week B.C. Transit began asking for proposals for the one year pilot project, which will include 25 buses in Kamloops....

Gas price slide means savings on civic operations

KELOWNA - Questions about the impact of collapsing oil prices are starting to filter into Kelowna’s civic operations as the possibility of an extended downturn in fuel costs becomes apparent. Several councillors queried city staff during presentations at  2015 budget deliberations about the topic that has recently been dominating headlines in Western Canada. The first...

Holiday closures around Kamloops

KAMLOOPS - Over the holidays there are many changes to hours and many closures around the city, including recreation facilities, libraries, transit and City Hall. The Tournament Capital Centre, including the Canada Games Pool, Westsyde Pool, and City Hall will all be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The recreation facilities will...

Crash blocks downtown intersection

KAMLOOPS - A crash between a bus and a car slowed traffic in the downtown area this morning. The crash occurred at the corner of St. Paul Street and 4 Avenue at 8:30 a.m. during the morning commute. The bus carrying 23 passengers was travelling south on 4 Avenue while the car was approaching eastbound...

Free bus rides on election day

PENTICTON - The City and Transit B.C. are offering free bus rides on voting day to encourage Penticton residents to come out and vote, free of charge. All regular route buses and HandyDart rides will be free for passengers heading to the polls on Saturday, Nov. 15. The General Election will be held at the...

TransitBC looks to Okanagan residents for ideas connecting communities

PENTICTON - TransitBC is sending its Transit Future Team to the Okanagan to get feedback from residents on the kind of long-term transit plan they would like in their communities. This visit is part of the second phase of a new transit plan the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen and TransitBC to make transit more...

UPDATE: Fiery crash leads to 9.6 ha wildfire near Osoyoos

OSOYOOS – Two semis crashed on Highway 3 northwest of Osoyoos around 5 p.m. Wednesday sparking a grass fire that threatened a nearby home and sent one of the truck drivers to hospital. A 46-year-old Kelowna man behind the wheel of the logging truck was taken to Kelowna General by air ambulance. He is seriously...

Seniors considered in new transit plans

PENTICTON - Councillors discussed the need for more public transit options at last night’s city council meeting, including increased evening hours and shorter wait times. Staff presented options for the new three-year contract with B.C. Transit that will run from 2015 to 2018. Options including extending certain routes, all night services and Sunday services. The...

South Okanagan transit gets new transfer policy

PENTICTON - B.C. Transit has a new policy restricting transfers between the Summerland and Naramata bus systems. Penticton, Summerland and Naramata will have colour-coded transfer tickets to help the process, which begins Monday May 19.  Penticton (blue tickets) will accept transfers from Penticton, Summerland and Naramata systems. Summerland (white tickets) and will accept transfers from...