Description
Kelowna's Transportation Master Plan (TMP) recommends more frequent transit service on our busiest routes, including the Transit Supportive Corridors identified in the 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP). Frequency of service is a key factor in attracting riders. When the next bus is 15 minutes or less from arriving, riders become less concerned with waiting for the bus.
We will focus transit service increases on routes that offer the highest ridership potential, congestion relief and emissions reductions. Several transit routes, such as those that run along Highway 97, Highway 33, Pandosy Street, Glenmore Road, Gordon Drive, Hollywood Road, and Rutland Road will see more frequent service (e.g., bus comes every 10 to 15 minutes during peak hours) and extended service hours (e.g., more buses on evenings and weekends).
In 2024 we added 7,123 annual transit service hours across the Kelowna Regional Transit system boosting total annual hours to 217,285. Within Kelowna, this included initiating service improvements outlined in the Rutland Local Area Transit
Plan:
- Implemented Route 98 Rutland/UBCO Express at introductory service levels to provide a more direct service between UBC Okanagan, Rutland, and Downtown—enhancing connectivity and reducing travel times
- In response to strong demand, introduced a dedicated local transit service on Academy Way - 84 Academy Way, connecting this dense residential area to UBCO
- Increased mid-day and weekend service on frequent transit network Routes (1, 5, 8, 10, and 11).