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Top 10 stories of 2016: Bus strike brings Kelowna to a halt

You »å´Ç²ÔÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t know what ²â´Ç³ÜÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™v±ð got until ¾±³ÙÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s gone, should have been the slogan for the transit strike earlier this year.
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Transit strike is one of the top stories for 2016

You »å´Ç²ÔÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t know what ²â´Ç³ÜÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™v±ð got until ¾±³ÙÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s gone, should have been the slogan for the transit strike earlier this year.

Buses may never be lauded for being the sexiest way to get around town, but they proved to be invaluable when contract talks between the Amalgamated Transit Union and First Canada ground to a halt in November.

The strike was set off by what the union deemed to be an unfair pay system Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” those who drove shorter buses were paid a lower wage Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” and salaries that fell below provincial averages.

Once buses stopped rolling their absence was felt most acutely by seniors, school-aged children and university students.

The breakdown in service also showed how well-used the service was by families.

So, when the city brokered talks, the two parties came to an agreement and bus service resumed, passengers rejoiced.

Bus rides on the transit system were free until the end of November Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” a gesture B.C. Transit said is to thank customers for their patience during the labour dispute.

Buses also got smarter and safer this year.

The City of Kelowna signed a memorandum of understanding Dec. 12 to introduce a new Real Time information system.

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥œB°ä Trans¾±³ÙÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s commitment to implementing new technologies means a safer, more efficient ±ð³æ±è±ð°ù¾±±ð²Ô³¦±ð,Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥ said Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna.

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥Áè¾±»å±ð°ù²õ will be able to see in real time where the next bus is, when it should arrive Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ and know that when they get on board, ³Ù³ó±ð²âÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™l±ô be ²õ²¹´Ú±ð.Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥

Continued technological enhancements to buses include:

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Closed circuit TV (CCTV), to increase the safety of passengers and drivers.

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Real Time information about where buses are located to make service more convenient

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Automatic passenger counters enabling BC Transit to optimize service delivery based on precise and timely data.

 



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