Transit hits record ridership

Ridership across the Kelowna Regional Transit System reached historic levels in 2023 and continues to see increases through the first part of this year.

According to figures in a report for city council, total passenger trips totalled more than 6.1 million for conventional transit and 83,810 for paratransit in 2023, an increase of nearly one million from 2022.

The report says population growth is responsible, in part, to the increase.

To keep up with the increased demand, service expansion is planned as part of the system’s three-year outlook from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2028.

However, the bulk of the expansion is focused on years two and three to coincide with capacity upgrades at the Hardy Street transit centre.

Proposed conventional transit expansion within the City of Kelowna includes an additional 17,750 hours to commence in January of 2026, 10,800 hours to begin in June of 2026 and another 17,600 hours in September of 2027.

The expansion of hours would necessitate an additional 18 buses at a cost of more than $3.1 million.

It would include full implementation of the 98 Rutland/UBCO route, the next phase of Rutland restructuring, restructuring of the Mission network, expansion of Route 84, a potential introduction of service to Clifton Road neighbourhoods and peak service improvements on Rapid and frequent transit network routes.

Paratransit expansion plans for the next three years include an additional 415 hours to start in April 2025 and 1.040 hours in April of 2026 at a cost of $68,000.

The paratransit changes are remaining priorities from the 2018 HandyDart review.

“Ridership in the Kelowna Regional Transit System has reached unprecedented levels,” the report concludes.

“In response, proactive service expansions are being proposed to keep pace with growth and meet the rising demand.

“Targeted investments in new services are crucial to supporting this growth, including improvements to both Kelowna’s conventional bus system and paratransit service.”