Transit Fare Increase Approved Despite Kelowna Councillors' Concerns

The proposed transit increase was the subject of much debate in Kelowna Council on Monday, though it eventually passed with all the councillors' approval.

Fares are increasing right across the board, with a proposed standardized rate of $2.50 for all readers, increased ticket booklet prices, standardized day passes, and monthly passes going up by about 15 per cent. For UBCO students, the UPASS would be increased by $10 a semester, though this increase would have to be approved by student referendum in the coming fall to come into effect September 2016. The other fare increases will come into effect on September 1st, 2015, marking the first increase since January 1st, 2012.

(Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

Councillor Brad Sieben suggested increasing the standardized cash payment by more in order to alleviate the effects to monthly pass holders, “so we're not penalizing the people who are already doing what we want them to do,” said Sieben. “My concern is getting more people onto the bus, and increasing the cost certainly isn't a good way to do it.”

Other suggestions were to look at smaller incremental increases every year instead of larger increases. Councillor Charlie Hodge pointed out that incentive to ride the bus is important as well, with affordability playing a part. “My concern is that if we start to increase the rates, we take away from part of the attraction,” said Hodge.

Other councillors, such as Luke Stack and Gail Given, said that the increase was reasonable for the investment put into the transit system in the past few years since the last increase. Given pointed out that Kelowna wasn't the only municipality involved in the decision, being one of six local government partners, and that though other increase structures could be considered, the timeline for this particular increase might not accommodate big changes. She also pointed out that they would like to hear more about concerns at a Council workshop on transit.

(Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

Mayor Colin Basran finished off the discussion saying that he appreciated the concerns, but said that bus riders would likely tolerate the increase for better service. Local transit has improved by “leaps and bounds” since the last fare increase in 2012. Finally, he said that the transit would not be able to get even better without the funds for investment and getting the goal of a 30 per cent cost recovery. “I truly believe that if we improve the service, the ones who ride it regularly will be our biggest advocates,” said Basran.

Sieben finished off by saying that he'd like to look at it again in a year. “In general, I don't like the direction of this,” said Sieben. “If we want to start moving to eliminate our greenhouse gas emissions, then we have to do something different than normal.” Similarly, Hodge said he would support it, but with “great trepidation”.

Every councillor voted in favour in the increase, which will be effective September 1st.