There's never been a better time to Buy BC and support local growers, producers and the food we love right here in BC.  Explore Buy BC products
Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. BC Gov News
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Live Webcast
  • News  
  • News  
  • By Ministry
    • Office of the Premier
    • Agriculture and Food
    • Attorney General
    • Children and Family Development
    • Citizens' Services
    • Education and Child Care
    • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
    • Energy and Climate Solutions
    • Environment and Parks
    • Finance
    • Forests
    • Health
    • Housing and Municipal Affairs
    • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
    • Infrastructure
    • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
    • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
    • Labour
    • Mining and Critical Minerals
    • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
    • Public Safety and Solicitor General
    • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
    • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Transportation and Transit
    • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
  • Subscribe
Live Webcast
By Ministry
  • Office of the Premier
  • Agriculture and Food
  • Attorney General
  • Children and Family Development
  • Citizens' Services
  • Education and Child Care
  • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
  • Energy and Climate Solutions
  • Environment and Parks
  • Finance
  • Forests
  • Health
  • Housing and Municipal Affairs
  • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
  • Infrastructure
  • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
  • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
  • Labour
  • Mining and Critical Minerals
  • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
  • Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
  • Transportation and Transit
  • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Transportation and Transit

RapidBus service expansion speeds up Westside commute

Share

More from this Ministry
Honourable Mike Farnworth

Honourable Mike Farnworth

Honourable Mike Farnworth and House Leader

Read Bio

Contact

Email: TT.Minister@gov.bc.ca

close menu Transportation and Transit

DriveBC enhances accessibility, user experience with new platform

June 19, 2025 8:00 AM
DriveBC app interface on mobile phone. Image reads "Plan your route"
People driving throughout British Columbia this summer can get access to reliable road and weather conditions on provincial highways with a newly updated DriveBC platform.
  Read More

Indigenous art related to Pattullo Bridge replacement reflects First Nations’ connections to area

June 17, 2025 2:15 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Print

Transportation and Transit

British Columbia News

RapidBus service expansion speeds up Westside commute

https://news.gov.bc.ca/06926

Share

News Release Communiqué

West Kelowna
Saturday, September 6, 2014 1:15 PM

Share

News Release Communiqué

West Kelowna

Saturday, September 6, 2014 1:15 PM

More from this Ministry

  • Factsheets
  • Ministry Website
  • Ministry Photos
  • Ministry Videos

Featured Topics

  • Driving and transportation in B.C.
  • Highway and infrastructure projects
  • Engineering standards and guidelines
  • Transportation reports and reference

Featured Services

  • DriveBC
  • Transportation permits & approvals
  • Vehicle safety and enforcement

Faster service, new modern stations and the latest transit technology will make taking the bus more comfortable and reliable for RapidBus BC passengers. The RapidBus BC service connecting West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and Kelowna with the University of BC Okanagan (UBCO) is now in service. The $46 million Kelowna RapidBus BC project is the backbone of a sustainable, efficient transportation network for the region.

The 15-kilometre route represents the second phase of the RapidBus project and includes four new transit stations and four new exchanges designed to provide passengers with faster, more frequent public transportation, supporting bus service every 15 minutes during peak periods.

When completed the Kelowna RapidBus BC project will provide 30 kilometres of transit service with new signal communications technology that enables transit operators to extend green lights at intersections to allow them priority movement with minimal stops. Digital screens will provide schedule information at all RapidBus stations and buses will include visual and audio next stop announcements. Once finished, Kelowna RapidBus project will have created more than 240 jobs, spurred economic development in communities and will improve transportation options for families.

The Government of Canada contributed up to $10.9 million from the Building Canada Fund and $6 million from the Gas Tax Fund. The Government of British Columbia has provided $23.9 million; the City of Kelowna committed $5.2 million and West Kelowna contributed land.

Quick Facts:

RapidBus provides 30 kilometres of service between West Kelowna and the UBC Okanagan campus.

  • Once complete, the Kelowna RapidBus BC project will include six new or improved exchanges, ten new stations, branded shelters and real-time passenger information.
  • Ridership has grown approximately 10% in Kelowna since the Rapid bus service began in 2010.
  • Since 2009, transit ridership has risen by more than 400,000 boardings each year. In 2013/14, BC Transit provided nearly 4.8 million passenger trips in the Kelowna Regional Transit System
  • In total, the project will receive up to $46 million in funding from federal, provincial and local partners.

Quotes:

MP Ron Cannan -

"Our Government is pleased to have invested in this infrastructure project that also supports efficient, environmentally-sustainable transportation. We remain committed to working with our partners to improve transit services for Kelowna residents and to promote long-term economic growth in the region.”

MLA Norm Letnick -

“The Province and BC Transit have been pleased to partner with West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and Kelowna on the completion of the RapidBus BC project. By working together with the community and senior governments, local elected representatives have achieved a major goal - providing high quality transit infrastructure to serve the region’s growing population.”

Mayor Doug Findlater -

“West Kelowna Council was pleased to partner with the Province and BC Transit through the contribution of land to provide this valuable service for our residents. West Kelowna Council saw the RapidBus project as a catalyst for development of its commercial and urban core in Westbank Centre and Boucherie Mountain areas.”

BC Transit executive director, Business Development Erinn Pinkerton -

“The expansion of RapidBus service will make transit more efficient and effective and help our customers travel quickly through the Kelowna Regional System. We have been pleased to work closely with our partners at the District of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and City of Kelowna to grow this popular service.”

Learn more:

See how the federal Gas Tax Fund provides long-term funding to help local governments build and revitalize their local infrastructure, visit: www.infrastructure.gc.ca

For information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit: www.actionplan.gc.ca

For information on the Government of British Columbia, visit: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/Transit_Plan/

For information on BC Transit, visit: http://www.bctransit.com/transitfuture/kelrapidbus_latestupdates.cfm

For information on the District of West Kelowna, visit: http://www.districtofwestkelowna.ca/

Media Contacts:

Meribeth Burton
BC Transit
250 507-8145
Meribeth_burton@bctransit.com

Government Communications & Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure
250 413-7941

Kirsten Jones
District of West Kelowna
778 797-2253

Vincent Rabault
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
Ottawa
613 943-1838

Media Relations
Transport Canada
Ottawa
613 993-0055

https://news.gov.bc.ca/06926

Related Articles

DriveBC enhances accessibility, user experience with new platform

June 19, 2025 8:00 AM

Indigenous art related to Pattullo Bridge replacement reflects First Nations’ connections to area

June 17, 2025 2:15 PM

Stay safe, plan ahead for Canada Day weekend

June 26, 2025 6:30 AM
BC Gov News

Connect with the Ministry

Photos

View the Ministry's latest photos on Flickr.

Videos

Watch the Ministry's latest videos on YouTube.

The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

Government of B.C. Government of B.C.

We can help in over 220 languages and through other accessible options.   Call, email or text us, or find a service centre.

Connect with Us

  • Subscribe
  • Social and RSS

More Info

  • BC Gov
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Government of British Columbia