Enhanced transit service is being sought to ensure tourists can wing their way home.
Vernon council will receive a recommendation Monday from the tourism advisory committee that the North Okanagan Regional District review the present bus service to Kelowna International Airport.
“It’s difficult for someone to take public transportation to the airport,” said Michelle Jefferson, the city’s tourism manager.
Presently, transit leaving Vernon stops at Okanagan College’s Kalamalka campus and the University of B.C.’s Kelowna campus and heads into Kelowna before stopping at the airport on its northbound return trip.
That means someone leaving Vernon must take the entire trip before they arrive at the airport for a flight.
“For people taking it to the airport, it is a big hassle,” said Jefferson.
Specifically, the advisory committee wants a stop included on the southbound route to the airport and that service hours be expanded.
Vernon hotels and motels made the advisory committee aware of the issue.
“The accommodators brought this forward after requests from guests. There is a demand,” said Jefferson.
Jefferson admits there are other options for getting to the airport including taxi and private shuttle.
“Easier access is always a good thing,” she said.
“We have good links with the private providers but we need improved service.”
Jefferson believes some tourists may be interested in taking a transit bus to the airport because it is less expensive than hiring private transportation.
If city council does decide to ask NORD to review the transit service, among the issues that would have to be considered are the cost, possible routes and the actual demand for an enhanced service.
Since transit began between Vernon and Kelowna a couple of years ago, most buses are at capacity, primarily with students heading to UBC.
Jefferson isn’t sure if the buses would be able to accommodate visitors with luggage.
“That would certainly need to be explored,” she said.
