Kelowna to reduce transit service by nearly 10,000 hours this fall

In an effort to recoup millions in revenue losses, Kelowna’s transit system will only operate on its spring schedule this fall.

The cutback will result in the loss of nearly 10,000 hours between Sept. 6 and the end of December.

Not included in those 10,000 service hours is the deferral of 950 service hour expansion that was scheduled to be implemented this fall.

With UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College offering the vast majority of classes online, as well as the possibility of reduced capacity in middle and high schools, city officials believe the cutback can be sustainable.

The total savings from service reductions and efficiencies, plus the deferred expansion, is estimated at $1.28 million or $681,000 of the local share with BC Transit.

However, Kelowna's transit system is anticipating a $3.2-million loss in total revenue by the end of the year due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those impacts saw ridership on Kelowna buses plunged 73% in April compared to the same month last year, despite the fact fare collection was suspended until June 1.

As COVID-19 restrictions were pulled back in July, ridership managed to rebound to 60% of the same level seen during the same month last year.

However, with the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, there's little guarantee those numbers will continue to increase.