Emil Anderson Construction Inc. of Kelowna has been awarded a $4.8-million contract to expand RapidBus BC, providing transportation options for families and communities and creating jobs.

RapidBus BC provides passengers with faster, more frequent bus transportation. Since the service began in 2010, ridership has grown almost 10 per cent between downtown Kelowna and the University of British Columbia-Okanagan (UBCO).

"Improved transit service gets people home to their families faster, and allows more people to commute to work or school," said Premier Christy Clark. "RapidBus will provide a sustainable and efficient transportation network, save time, and encourage more people to take the bus."

Building on the success of RapidBus BC in Kelowna, the service will be expanded to West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation. The expansion includes building four transit stations and two transit exchanges, which will connect to the existing RapidBus service between downtown Kelowna and UBCO. Construction will start in September and is expected to finish in July 2014. Service is expected to begin in summer 2014.

"RapidBus will improve transit linkages and service for our region," said Kelowna Mayor Walter Gray. "I am really happy to see that construction of the Gordon and Richter Stations along Highway 97 in Kelowna will commence later this year."

"The District of West Kelowna is pleased to see that construction will soon begin on two new exchanges in our community," said West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater. "We envision the exchange on Elliott Road will complement our efforts for Westbank Centre revitalization, and the Boucherie Exchange will service an important recreation and municipal hub as well as the students of Mt. Boucherie school."

The Government of Canada is contributing up to $10.9 million from the Building Canada Fund and another $6 million from the Gas Tax Fund towards the $46 million project. The government of B.C. is contributing $23.9 million, the City of Kelowna is contributing $5.2 million and West Kelowna is contributing land.

"Connecting the RapidBus from UBCO through the City of Kelowna to the Westside and through WFN lands will be a great benefit to our communities, members and residents," said Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie. "Westbank First Nation is proud to be a partner on this sustainable transportation initiative, which will bring environmental and economic rewards to the region."

"Awarding this contract is a major step forward for Kelowna's RapidBus - a service that will provide BC Transit's customers with a more efficient and effective transit system," said BC Transit president and chief executive officer Manuel Achadinha.

Learn more:

For information on Kelowna RapidBus, visit: www.kelownarapidbus.ca

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Tom Wilson
City of Kelowna
250 469-8663

Kirsten Jones
District of West Kelowna
778 797-2253

Mandi Carroll
Westbank First Nation
250 769-2436

Meribeth Burton
BC Transit
250 507-8145

BACKGROUNDER

RapidBus expansion projects in Kelowna

The first portion of RapidBus BC in Kelowna was completed in September 2010 and includes service between the University of BC Okanagan campus and Queensway in downtown Kelowna.

The direct service includes modern, attractive amenities, technology to extend green lights and real-time passenger information displays on the buses and at the exchanges.

The RapidBus expansion will include service to the Westbank First Nation and District of West Kelowna. The contract includes building:

• Transit exchanges at Westbank Centre and Boucherie Mountain in West Kelowna.
• Transit stations at Westside Road and Butt Road in Westbank First Nation.
• Transit stations at Highway 97 and Gordon Drive and Highway 97 and Richter Street in Kelowna.

Construction will start in September and is expected to finish in July 2014. Once complete, the entire Kelowna RapidBus BC project will include six new or improved exchanges, four new stations, branded shelters and real-time passenger information displays.

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Tom Wilson
City of Kelowna
250 469-8663

Kirsten Jones
District of West Kelowna
778 797-2253

Mandi Carroll
Westbank First Nation
250 769-2436

Meribeth Burton
BC Transit
250 507-8145