Kamloops seeking feedback on first BC Transit review since 2019

KAMLOOPS — Residents in Kamloops have a little under two weeks to have their say into transit fares in the community.

The City of Kamloops is collecting input until May 1 as part of a fare review process that it says will try to maintain affordability while ensuring that increased operational costs are being addressed.

In a statement, the City of Kamloops said that transit fare reviews are typically done every three to five years, and that the current fare structure has been in place for six years.

“Since the last fare review, the Kamloops Transit System has seen significant operational cost increases, requiring a fare review,” the statement said.

“The process will assess the current fare structure and corresponding products to support the maintenance and expansion of services, address rising operational expenses, and ultimately benefit the community by providing a reliable and efficient transit system.”

The City said that in 2019, a number of fares were reduced to align with BC Transit’s fare guidelines. It also said that transit fares in Kamloops were last increased in 2011, and later reduced in 2015 to increase ridership.

“Reviewing fares is essential for maintaining and improving transit,” the City statement added.

“The goal of the review is to balance the needs of affordability and ridership growth with achieving a higher level of cost recovery (passenger fare coverage of operating costs).”

An online survey is available on the city’s Let’s Talk page, though people can also have their say via a paper survey, which can be picked up at City Hall on weekdays. That paper survey has to be returned by 4:00 p.m on May 1 to be counted.

You can find more information about the fare review and the survey here.