A Transportation Plan update provided to Vernon Council highlights how far the city needs to go to reach adequate levels of public transportation mode sharing. 

Mode share refers to the percentage of travellers using a particular type of transportation or the number of trips using a particular type of transportation. 

The most recent mode share survey, in 2021, showed that a single occupancy vehicle is the main mode of transportation (80 per cent), followed by being a vehicle passenger (eight per cent). Cycling (1.5 per cent) and public transit (1.5 per cent) were the lowest. 

Walking, cycling and public transit mode shares has decreased in Vernon since 2013, and have a "ways to go" to reach the 2040 targets set out by the , which was created in 2014. 

The target for public transit for 2040 is 2.5 per cent. 

"This growth implies an increase in service hours, frequencies, service span and overall improvement of transit service coverage," the report said. "A simple correlation of mode share to transit service hours would imply almost doubling these hours at 70,000 hours by 2040 to achieve this proposed increase in mode share."

Provincial public transit rates are currently at nine per cent, with a nationwide average hovering at the eight per cent mark. 

Vernon does have a better walking score, at seven per cent, which is higher than the six per cent provincial average. 

According to the transportation plan update, three key features to enhance public transit include a new route on Middleton Mountain, realigned routes in downtown Vernon and a shortened route in the East Hill area. 

Key issues in the transportation plan update concerning public transit include the low frequency of buses and limited service spans, with all routes ending in the city by 10 p.m. 

"A lack of early morning and late evening service can prevent people from using transit regularly, particularly for shift workers, people in the hospitality industry, and event attendees," the report said. "Additionally, most routes operate with a frequency range between 40 to 70 minutes, which can make taking transit inconvenient and inefficient."

A future transit network with more routes and an enhanced user experience is being recommended in a phased approach beginning in 2025.

To read the full document, .