Transit service to return to shopping centre

Nov 21, 2019 | 9:49 AM

A new transit exchange will open next month at the Village Green Centre.

The bus stops at the mall were moved to 48th Avenue in November 2016 in response to safety concerns, but that made it difficult for people with mobility issues to access the mall, especially in the winter.

Since then, the mall’s management, City of Vernon and B.C. Transit have been working on a solution.

“BentallGreenOak is pleased to be able to provide a dedicated facility that can be used as a transit exchange for riders either going to the Village Green Shopping Centre or transferring on to different bus routes,” Scott Adam, General Manager for the Village Green Shopping Centre, said.

This new facility will provide a dedicated bus-only entrance to four new bus stops with two shared bus shelters located near the southwest entrance to the food court.

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Construction in the centre’s parking lot is expected to be completed later this month.

“Historically, the transit exchange at Village Green Shopping Centre was one of the busiest bus stops in Vernon,” Mayor Victor Cumming said. “We have heard many requests for this service to return, increasing accessibility to these local businesses and providing an excellent transit exchange. Therefore, the city is pleased to financially support this project so transit and the exchange can be available at the centre for many years to come.”

As part of the project, the City of Vernon has constructed the new driveway from 48th Avenue, and will relocate the bus stop signs and install new bus schedule information panels.

BC Transit plans to start service to the shopping centre on Sunday, December 22, 2019, using routes 3 Alexis Park and 9 North End.

“The new transit exchange at the Village Green Shopping Centre will allow us to deliver better service to our customers,” Chris Fudge, B.C. Transit’s senior government relations manager, said. “I am pleased we were able to find a solution in partnership with the City of Vernon and BentallGreenOak.”

by Pete McIntyre

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