Vernon regional transit heavily subsidized by taxpayers

May 13, 2021 | 2:36 PM

Coldstream council has approved to 2021-22 operating agreement with BC Transit for bus service, and the lions share of the cost continues to be borne by local and provincial taxpayers.

For every dollar received in ride revenue, taxpayers are contributing nearly $7 ($6.81).

Following some modest growth, there was a decline in local ridership in 2020, primarily due to the pandemic, as more people stayed home, and others were concerned with the safety of taking the bus.

“One year ago, we were all adapting to the early stage of a pandemic that was rapidly unfolding around the world,” Chelsea Mossey, senior manager, Government Relations with BC Transit, stated in a letter to the district.

“BC Transit took steps to respond quickly and to continue providing essential transportation service to those who relied on it. While the impact continues to be felt today, we remain committed to providing transit services you can rely on to support the ongoing social and economic recovery in communities around the province,” Mossey said.

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Vernon/Coldstream transist operating agreement (photo credit: BC Transit)

“The provision to allow a ‘Lease Fee Holiday” for a six-month period, which was included in your 2020/21 amended [operating agreement], has been removed from this year’s agreement,” Mossey stated. “In addition, language has been modified to reflect billing based on actual expenses, instead of budget.”

Mossey added under terms of the Safe Restart Funding contribution agreement and through receipt of funds, BC Transit and its local government partners are expected to maintain targeted essential transit service levels through to the end of the 2023/24 fiscal year.

“We expect that these targeted service levels will meet the expected growth in demand in the months to come,” Mossey commented.

BC Transit indicates there will be 34,700 hours of service over the term of the agreement.

by Kevin Rothwell

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