Questions

Use this tool to ask us any questions you have about transit in Rutland or Kelowna more generally. We'll answer as soon as we can!

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  • Do you have any plans on extending the bus route 14 in black mountain area? The only bus stop up the hill is at Large Ave. We live up the mountain in Loseth dr and it is hard to walk in the snow with stroller even on the sidewalks. It would be nice to have one more bus stop up the loseth dr. Thank you

    sravya asked almost 2 years ago

    Hello Sravya, 

    The Rutland LATP exercise is primarily focused on the area bounded by Highway 97, Springfield Road to the south and east to the Rutland bench however, proposals includes changes the structure of route 14 within this zone.

    As a coverage bus route, the 14 Black Mountain is structured to circulate through the densest areas of the neighborhood vs. routing more circuitously throughout the entire community. This serves to balance convenience, access and resource requirements. While the route structure can result in a longer walk to bus stops for people who reside further from stops on the route, it helps to improve route productivity (e.g., riders per trip or per hour) which in turn, can support a case of additional service to be added in the future (e.g., more frequent service). As neighborhoods grow and only when ridership on routes that serve them meet standards outlined in the Central Okanagan Service Guidelines, consideration may be given to expanding service.  

    Thank you,

    Mike Kittmer

  • I'm a full time one-on-one residential care worker living downtown and travelling to rutland 5+ days a week including weekends. My shift starts at 7 am, and it is key that I am there on time due to the nature of the work. There is no route that shows up by 7am on sat/sun, leaving me often without an affordable means of getting to work those days in my regular schedule. Are there any plans to connect downtown and rutland before 7am on weekends?

    Brody H asked about 2 years ago

    Hello Brody,

    Investment in what we describe as ‘off-peak’ service is a high priority. These are periods outside of the usual Monday to Friday am and pm typical commuter travel periods. 

    Within our three year investment proposals, the first two years focus on improving off peak service. In preparing to do so, we’ll be considering competing needs on various routes, focusing on those that have high levels of ridership (demand). As example, when considering earlier am service, we’ll review the level of ridership occurring on the first trip of the day on various routes. Those with high demand may be strong candidates for an additional, earlier am trip. 

    Thank you,

    Mike Kittmer

  • Has making bus service free been considered as a way to increase ridership? Or a tiered system based on income to take the cost pressure off lower income riders?

    mel2022 asked about 2 years ago

    Hello Mel,

    Transit is funded through a mix of taxation and fares. Only about 30% of operating costs are recovered from fare sales therefore, about 70% of the cost to provide transit is funded by taxes. A combination of Provincial and municipal property taxes make up this proportion. We strive to keep fares reasonable and offer discounted rates for youth, seniors and post-secondary students. 

    The Province of BC also offers their BC Bus Pass Program to Low-income seniors and Persons with Disabilities. This is an annual pass provided at a deep discount. The City of Kelowna offers a Family Pass Maximum program which is designed to support families who utilize transit and sets a maximum rate for student passes per family at 2.5 times the current student rate (available at City Hall only). 

    The Province introduced free transit for youth under aged 12 in September of 2020 as a further means to increase access to transit for youth and support a culture of transit ridership prior to them becoming adults. 

    Thank you,

    Mike Kittmer

  • Lake Country (32) service has diminished significantly and is totally inadequate -- now virtually nonexistent unless you are a student coming and going to school. Going up Lake Hill is a tough climb for anyone but for a senior is too much without the service connection from 23 bus. Even going to Kelowna for an appointment is difficult because the service up the mountain stops so early. Are there any plans to put the service back to a more reasonable useable level for those attempting to use the bus. I am using cabs at the moment during the middle of the day hours where there is no service. Lake Country now has 2 cabs assigned to the area because the need for them has been created by no adequate bus service. Lake Country was promised much better options when the subdivisions were created.

    Eliza asked about 2 years ago

    Hello Eliza, 

    Thank you for your question. This study focuses on the Rutland area, so will not impact service in Lake Country. In May 2022, The District of Lake Country approved their Local Area Transit Plan that identifies multiple improvements to local service for Lake Country, including improvements to 32 The Lakes. Additionally, starting in January 2023 there will be additional service on 23 Lake Country. 

    Thank you,

    Bronson Bullivant