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Kelowna youth climate action group gathering signatures to make public transit public

The contract with Swedish company First Transit expires March 31
32038692_web1_220713-PWN-TransitSurvey_1
(Black Press file photo)

A petition is circulating online to keep transit public in the Central Okanagan.

The Kelowna Regional Transit System contract between Swedish company First Transit and B.C. Transit expires March 31 and B.C. Transit has to decide to renew the contract or hand it over to another private company.

Fridays for Future Kelowna - a youth-led climate action group - wants something different, a public model of transit being managed by a regional team of city councillors, transit workers, and citizens.

The petition on Change.org reads:

We’re asking for transit in the Okanagan to be managed by local decision makers. It would be more accountable, better funded, and keep the funds right here in our community. We don’t need private companies, who only want higher profits, managing an essential public service. Our local transit network supports tourism, schools, shopping, and daily life in our region.

Several organizations have signed in support to keep the public in public transit, including the B.C. General Employees’ Union, Climate Action Now, Kelowna Area Cycling Coalition, and the Okanagan Climate Hub.

The petition was posted online about three weeks ago and as of March 5 has just under 200 signatures.

Learn more about the call for change or sign the petition here.

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Brittany Webster

About the Author: Brittany Webster

A video journalist with Black Press Media. I recently made the exciting move from my radio anchor position at AM 1150 to this new venture.
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