The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) in partnership with BC Transit recently began providing a long-awaited Greater West Bench transit service. The service began operations on Monday, January 3, 2022, travelling through West Bench, Westwood Estates, and Sage Mesa to key locations within the City of Penticton.  

To generate awareness and provide opportunities for people to become familiar with the routes, the Regional District is pleased to offer free transit service on the new Route 11 West Bench/Penticton from March 21 to April 29, 2022. During this time, the RDOS will gather feedback on ways to improve transit operations in the future. “As the new route rolls into spring, the Regional District is offering free transit service to encourage community ridership and gather feedback on how to make it better,” says Electoral Area F Director Riley Gettens. 

The service typically costs $2.25 per trip, with additional discount fare options, including monthly passes and sets of tickets available for purchase at the RDOS office at 101 Martin Street Penticton. “The new transit service connects Greater West Bench residents and visitors to larger centres throughout the local transit service,” says Director Gettens. “What better time to try the bus than during spring break.” 

Interim transit poles and signage have been installed and will be replaced with permanent structures as winter conditions subside. Anyone using the Greater West Bench transit service between March 21 and April 29, 2022, is invited to enter a draw a for chance to win a gift certificate to Landmark Cinemas. Please bring a pen or pencil to fill out a ballot and drop it in the contest entry box on the bus. The draw will take place on May 2, 2022. 

For more information or to provide your feedback on the Greater West Bench Transit service, please contact Mark Woods at mwoods@rdos.bc.ca or 250-490-4132. 

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Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen 

Riley Gettens, Electoral Area F Director
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Contacts:

Mark Woods
RDOS Manager of Community Services
250-490-4132