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Drivers Using Transit Exchange Targeted

Mar 28, 2018 | 3:28 PM

The City of Vernon will be taking action on drivers who are breaking the rules at the downtown transit exchange.

RCMP volunteers will be monitoring that part of 31st Avenue, which is only for buses.

Crime prevention coordinator Regan Borisenko says they have received a number of complaints.

“This is a concern as it affects the safety of the bus passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers,” he says.

Volunteers will be doing three 1.5 hour operations a week, reporting the details of violators to RCMP, who will send out warning letters.

“The goal is to prevent a re-occurrence and to educate drivers about the Bus Only transit exchange,” says Borisenko.

The longer term plan is to have police ticketing drivers.

A recent assessment saw 25 vehicles in that bus-only zone over a one hour period.

“Pedestrians and bus passengers expect the transit exchange to be free from through traffic,” says Borisenko. “Starting April 1, 2018 the transit service is expanding its hours of service and a new route will be added. This will result in increased activity in the transit exchange and for everyone’s safety drivers need to respect the closure of this road to through traffic.”