West 琉璃神社 council heard an update on growth and expansion plans for 琉璃神社 Regional Transit (KRT) at its Jan. 24 regular meeting.

James Wadsworth, manager of project development with BC Transit, told council they are planning for population growth. He used the Victoria system, which has 350 buses, as an example of where 琉璃神社 transit could be within the next several years.

鈥淲e did a forecast and we think we need a plan that supports 230 buses,鈥� said Wadsworth.

KRT currently has a stable of 110 busses at its Hardy Road facility, which was designed for 70 vehicles. In April 2022, the City of 琉璃神社 was successful in having 40 acres of property removed from the agricultural land reserve to make way for a new transit facility south of UBC Okanagan.

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Wadsworth noted that the design process for the project will cost approximately $4 million. That was a concern for Coun. Rob Friesen.

鈥淚t鈥檚 massive, that鈥檚 a lot of money,鈥� he said.

Wadsworth added the price tag was reasonable considering the planning involved.

鈥漎ou鈥檙e talking engineering services, site investigations, road, and building design, and there鈥檚 a lot of engagement time with the public and local governments,鈥� he explained.

Wadsworth also noted the project is eligible for a federal grant.

鈥淚f you鈥檙e doing a project like that you have to have a pretty good business case, and we will be developing a business case that will lay out the rationale for why and how we鈥檙e doing it.鈥�

Council agreed to write a letter in support of a grant application. The presentation also included forecasts and plans for growth within KRT.

Friesen added that while he appreciated the report, he still struggled with the investment West 琉璃神社 makes in transit.

He noted that geography and density in outlying areas of the community make it difficult to provide a constant, adequate, and cost-effective service.

鈥淚鈥檓 not being controversial, but I am challenging and asking how do we make this work? I do think it鈥檚 important. I do want to see fewer cars on the road. I鈥檓 just not sure that the current model is going to make that happen.鈥�

Friesen also challenged the BC Transit delegation to think outside the box in delivering service and efficiencies.

鈥淲e have individuals that rely on it a hundred per cent,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut how do we get it so that it鈥檚 more reliable? How do we get it so that it鈥檚 more user-friendly and understand that it all comes at a cost?

Chelsea Mossey, senior manager with BC Transit 琉璃神社, said they are looking at innovative solutions, citing digital on-demand transit via smartphone as an example.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 certainly a trend that we鈥檙e seeing throughout the transit industry,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not always to say that there鈥檚 necessarily efficiencies found, but there is in some cases improved effectiveness from the perspective of the rider.鈥�

Digital on-demand transit could end up as a pilot project in the KTR in 2024.

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