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By Liam Verster
Transit Week Challenge

Vernon councillors challenged to ride the bus for a week

Jan 19, 2024 | 1:00 PM

Vernon city councillors will be challenged to ride the bus for their daily commutes.

The Okanagan Transit Alliance will invite the councillors to participate in its B.C. Transit Week Challenge at council’s regular meeting Monday, Jan. 22.

The challenge is an Interior-wide initiative to have elected officials rely on public transit for most of their transportation needs, whenever possible, for seven days from Jan. 29 to Feb 4.

The group noted this is not an alternative transportation challenge, and instead is a focus on using buses and community shuttles as much as possible over the week.

The challenge comes as the contract between B.C. Transit and TransDev will expire in April of this year, and the Okanagan Transit Alliance wants the Regional District of North Okanagan to assume management of the region’s transit rather than renew the contract.

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“The money that is currently spent inflating the profits of an international corporation could instead be used to create good, local jobs and a strong transit system,” Stephanie Hendy from the the Alliance stated in the presentation notes.

“Further, a coordinated effort between regional districts would allow for better inter-municipality travel within the Okanagan.”

Hendy added taking part in the challenge does not mean Vernon city council endorses the Okanagan Transit Alliance or its goals.

by Liam Verster
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