BC Transit and the city of Kelowna have partnered with VIA Mobility to bring on a new on-demand technology service that will provide more transit options for customers in the Crawford neighborhood of Kelowna.
The contract for the transit technology system completes the competitive procurement process that began earlier this year.
The on-demand service will give customers in the Crawford neighborhood the convenience of using a mobility app or phone-in option to book a trip with BC Transit at a time that works for them, instead of following the conventional pre-planned route and schedule.
The system will operate in a network of designated stops within the Crawford area to provide transit when customers need it. Once in service, customers can request a ride that begins and ends within the Crawford area or to and from the Mission Rec Transit Exchange. Other benefits could include:
- Shorter wait and travel times
- Direct route trips
- Increased access to areas within the neighborhood that have limited transit service
- Increased service availability during off-peak times, particularly during the evenings and weekends
On-demand is anticipated to launch in spring 2024, with engagement planned early in 2024. The on-demand service will replace the daily route 15 service currently offered in the Crawford area and be operated by Transdev Canada. If successful, the service type could expand to other locations and communities around the province.
