Vernon’s City Council was disappointed to learn that BC Transit and the Village Green Centre failed to come to an agreement to keep the transit stop within the Village Green Centre parking lot. BC Transit required changes to the previous exchange near the south entrance of Village Green Centre (Food Court entrance) due to the rate of accidents and near misses that were occurring. The move was intended to be temporary until a permanent location that is safe and convenient could be found.
Council was optimistic that a safe and convenient transit location could be identified that was acceptable to all parties. An agreement was reached in April 2016 with BC Transit and the Village Green Centre to work on the detailed design. The City of Vernon proposed a land swap to enable a bus stop pullout to be constructed on 48 Avenue near the mall’s south entrance. However, the Village Green Centre concluded that this was not something they wished to pursue at this time.
BC Transit has announced that the bus stops on 48 Avenue are now permanent, understanding that while this impacts the convenience of transit riders, it is ultimately intended for their safety.
Mayor Mund, on Council’s behalf, will be writing to the owners of the Village Green Centre and BC Transit to express the City’s disappointment that a safe bus stop location could not be accommodated within the parking lot for the convenience of transit riders, particularly those with mobility impairments.