Lake Country Mayor Blair Ireland took an opportunity at council91裸聊视频檚 Feb. 21 regular meeting, to drive home a message to BC Transit leadership.

Representatives from the Crown corporation provided council with an update on the Kelowna Regional Transit System (KRTS).

After the presentation, Ireland said they needed to discuss the elephant in the room.

91裸聊视频淭he contractor is taking money out of our community overseas which is exactly what happens,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淎nywhere else in the world that money would be reinvested in the infrastructure for that business. It91裸聊视频檚 not a profit centre.91裸聊视频�

KRTS is currently operated by Swedish company First Transit which signed a deal to sell its operations to French-based Transdev Group in October 2022.

READ MORE: 91裸聊视频楢nother foreign company91裸聊视频� looks to take over Kelowna regional transit: Union

Ireland told the representatives that BC Transit needs to take a strong look at the KRTS is operated.

91裸聊视频淵our leadership really needs to hear that we need them to remove these contractors so that we can do this job properly and reinvest in our communities in our own country.91裸聊视频�

The mayor added that his comments were not a reflection of BC Transit but, again, of the contractor.

91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 why we have issues, that91裸聊视频檚 why we can91裸聊视频檛 keep bus drivers. Bus drivers don91裸聊视频檛 get paid enough to do what they91裸聊视频檙e doing,91裸聊视频� said Ireland.

BC Transit is seeking support from Central Okanagan municipalities as it applies for federal government grants to upgrade the aging Hardy Road bus yard and begin the design and planning for a new facility proposed for Hollywood Road.

READ MORE: A tale of two yards: Millions needed for new and old Kelowna transit facilities

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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