A push for expanded transit in Coldstream has hit a dead end.
Council voted Monday not to make changes to the existing evening and weekend transit services even though some residents lobbied for the move.
“It’s not cost-effective,” said Coun. Peter McClean.
On weeknights in Coldstream the last bus runs at 6:42 p.m., while Vernon buses continue to serve the public until 9:44 p.m. The situation is similar on Sundays, when the buses don’t start until 11 a.m. and wrap up around 4 p.m. Meanwhile Sunday service in Vernon is from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Last spring, a resident presented council with a 70-name petition calling for extended hours in Coldstream.
It’s believed that adding weekend and evening hours could cost about $20,000 a year.
“There’s not enough patronage to warrant the extension,” said McClean.
District officials also say they need to focus on future routes that could positively impact a large number of residents, such as a bus running from Kalamalka Road, up College Way, to Okanagan College.
“People would use that route,” said Coun. Richard Enns.
“I’d like to see routes go in place that would be well used.”
Another future possibility is a route that connects Middleton Mountain with the college and the Shops at Polson Park.