Public transit ridership is growing in Kamloops faster than the average increase across the province.
B.C. Transit's annual report shows ridership in Kamloops rose to 3,469,666 fares, up 8.2 per cent from 2009-2010. That compares with a five per cent rise overall in usage provincewide.
The increase was part of a record-breaking year for ridership in B.C., fuelled in part by the rising cost of energy. Kevin Mahoney, chairman of the Crown corporation, also cited efficiency.
"B.C. Transit's continued focus on delivering efficient transit to the communities we serve resulted in operating costs that were eight to 11 per cent lower and ridership per hour that was five to nine per cent higher than the average of similar-sized systems across North America," he said.
The corporation pointed to "significant growth" in Kamloops as well as in Kelowna (nine per cent), Squamish (10 per cent), Central Fraser Valley (12 per cent), Prince George (16 per cent), Comox Valley (17 per cent), Whistler (19 per cent) and Fort St. John (26 per cent).
Public transit use still represents the smallest component of commuter travel in Kamloops according to 2006 Statistics Canada figures. About four per cent of commuters ride the bus. That compares with eight per cent who carpool, seven per cent who walk or cycle to work, and 81 per cent who drive their own vehicles.
B.C. Transit oversees 81 different transit systems in more than 50 B.C. communities, representing the 17th largest fleet in North America. Kamloops has the fourth largest fleet in B.C. after Kelowna, Victoria and Vancouver.
The annual report also cites Transit Future planning. A Transit Future Kamloops report was presented to City council Tuesday, showing the results of a user survey. Riders expressed concerns about hours of operation, frequency and timing of the routes, and inadequate bus stops.
