Evidence-backed policies
In the Okanagan, our public transit is stagnating. 73% of Kelowna residents, 82% of Penticton residents and 79% of Vernon residents are not transit users (1).
Meanwhile, transportation is the largest source of emissions in British Columbia (2), and is the second biggest expense for most Canadian households (3). Public transit is a powerful tool that can help address British Columbia's simultaneous cost-of-living and climate crises.
Ridership rates are low across the province, except for some outliers. Victoria, for example, has nearly 50% of residents regularly using public transit, and 58% use transit in Whistler. This means that with the right mix of incentives and high quality service, significant ridership is possible.
Each of our goals is intended to build a transit service that is public, accessible, and community-driven.
Summary
Without more information, it is difficult to name the total costs for these improvements. What we do know is that each of these policies would bring several additional benefits to the community. Considering secondary benefits (such as easing traffic congestion, access to jobs and other economic stimulus, and health benefits) the vast majority of researchers find that every single dollar invested in public transit returns more than a dollar of benefits. Some calculate over $4 of benefits for every dollar spent on transit in rural and small cities (14). The costs will also be offset by increased ridership.