Kelownasa国际传媒檚 Crawford neighbourhood is the first in B.C. to have OnDemand Transit.

The service offers pickup times and locations passengers determine through a smartphone app or phone. It provides more direct trips, quicker commutes, and shorter wait times.

sa国际传媒淭his new innovative service, which will improve mobility and sustainability in our community, is the first of its kind in the province, and we are thrilled to launch it here in Kelowna,sa国际传媒� explains Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit president and CEO.

Starting Apr. 28, the hybrid approach in the Crawford area will provide a fixed-route service during peak hours and OnDemand during all other times.

sa国际传媒淜elownasa国际传媒檚 ridership is at an all-time high,sa国际传媒� Pinkerton adds. sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e hoping to achieve seven million rides in 2024.sa国际传媒�

That is a 12 per cent increase over 2023.

sa国际传媒淒ouble-digit growth in ridership is a sign of the success of the Kelowna Regional Transit System,sa国际传媒� Pinkerton notes.

Mayor Tom Dyas is pleased Kelowna is the jumping-off point for the service that will eventually be offered throughout the province.

sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檝e seen it in action back in Oshawa. Which quickly resulted in advanced frequency and availability of services in their area.sa国际传媒�

Rob Bryans, Canada Country Manager with Via Transportation the TransitTech provider, says the service will revolutionize how transit riders get around.

sa国际传媒淰ia has delivered this technology and service to about 700 cities, counties, and communities around the world and wesa国际传媒檙e bringing that global technology to Crawford and Kelowna.sa国际传媒�

Fixed-route service in Crawford will be available on Route 15 twice a day Monday through Friday between 8-8:30 a.m. and 3:30-4 p.m.

OnDemand transit will be available Monday through Friday between 7 -8 a.m., 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and 4 -7 p.m.

Weekend and holiday availability is from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

There are no fixed routes or schedules with OnDemand service, as buses are dispatched on a request basis to a designated safe pick-up location near the customer.

Ride requests begin and end within the Crawford area including service to Canyon Falls Middle School and the Mission Recreation Transit Exchange.

BC Transit and the City of Kelowna partnered with TransitTech provider, Via Transportation and Transdev to offer the service.

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