Transit in Vernon
During community consultation for the Master Transportation Plan, Vernon residents articulated that their number one transportation priority was public transit improvements. A safe, reliable, frequent transit system has many benefits to the community.
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions
- Greater mobility for seniors and youth
- More travel options for families
- Less money required for new road infrastructure
- Fewer cars on the road
Vernon Regional Transit System
Everything you need to know about the transit services within the Vernon Regional Transit area including Coldstream, Vernon and the North Okanagan is on the BC Transit website.
North Okanagan Transit Future Action Plan 2021
At its regular meeting of December 13, 2021, Council endorsed an updated Transit Future Action Plan. This plan was developed in collaboration between BC Transit, the City of Vernon, the Regional District of the North Okanagan, and First Canada (our local transit operator) with input from the public and stakeholder groups.
The Transit Future Action Plan sets out proposed service and infrastructure improvements to be made to the North Okanagan Regional Transit System between now and 2029.
Starting on September 1, 2021, children 12 and under will be able to "Get on Board" any Vernon Regional Transit bus as part of the provincial government's commitment to efficient, reliable and affordable transit for families. Parents, guardians, and adult chaperones will still need to pay their fare. Children aged five and under must be accompanied by an adult. This program replaces Vernon Regional Transit's Kids Ride Free Program, which allowed adult customers to bring up to four children aged 12 and under on board for free, and the Class Rides Free program that provided one free bus ride per year for schools located in Vernon.
For more information, visit the Vernon Regional Transit website.
The Vernon Regional Transit Class Rides Free program provides students the opportunity to learn more about our local transit system through first-hand experience. School District 22 classrooms within Vernon city limits can apply to travel by transit for one round trip per year at no cost.
In order to participate in the program, please complete the application form and email it to csbreception@vernon.ca. Applications must be received at least two weeks prior to the requested trip. If approved, you will receive a letter from the City of Vernon to present to your bus driver.
Application Form
Trips must use the regularly scheduled transit service and teachers should consult the Vernon Regional Transit website to plan their schedule. Please note that travel approval will only be granted for trips taking place within off-peak hours, generally between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Schools Outside of Vernon
The District of Coldstream and the Regional District of the North Okanagan have also adopted the Class Rides Free program for schools in their regions. Schools located outside of Vernon should contact their local government for information on how to apply.
Bus Etiquette for Students
Classes will be sharing the bus with other Vernon Regional Transit riders and are expected to behave in a courteous manner. Please note that Vernon Regional Transit buses can accommodate a maximum of 23 seated passengers plus 14 standing passengers. During busy times, classes may have to split their group or wait for the next bus. Students are expected to:
- Give up their seats for passengers who need to sit. Courtesy seating, located at the front of the bus, meets the needs of all transit customers and is especially vital to:
- Customers who use scooters, wheelchairs, pediatric strollers, or other mobility aids
- Customers with a disability or mobility issue
- Customers with baby strollers
- Not stand in the doorways.
- Not eat or drink on the bus.
- Use inside voices when speaking and headphones when listening to music.
Teachers should review these expectations with their students before the trip. Visit kidsridethebus.com to access BC Transit’s resources, activities, lesson plans, and videos designed for K-5 educators to help prepare your students for their bus ride.
- Give up their seats for passengers who need to sit. Courtesy seating, located at the front of the bus, meets the needs of all transit customers and is especially vital to:
Accessible Transit
BC Transit has made large-scale improvements in accessibility. A key is to provide transit services tailored to individual’s needs and abilities.
• Fixed-Route: 100% of buses are low-floor accessible
• handyDART: Ramp and lift-equipped mini busesLearn more about accessibility on the Vernon Regional Transit website.
handyDART
handyDART is an accessible, door-to-door shared transit service for people with permanent or temporary disabilities that prevent them from using fixed-route transit without assistance from another person.
Learn more about and how to register for the program here.
BC Transit offers hundreds of routes across the province that will get you off the couch and into the wild, even in your own hometown. There are family-friendly or adventure-seeking itineraries for trips in locations across BC, including the Okanagan. Visit ExploreBCbyBus.com for more info.
Residents and visitors who wish to travel to and from Vernon by bus have several options. Interregional public transit service is available through BC Transit with routes to Kelowna, Enderby, Armstrong, Lumby, and Salmon Arm.
The Route 90 UBCO Connector service operates between Vernon, the Kelowna International Airport, and the UBC Okanagan campus. You can make connections to the Kelowna Regional Transit system at UBC Okanagan Exchange. Vernon Regional Transit monthly and day passes are valid on the Kelowna Transit system at no additional cost. Visit www.bctransit.com/vernon for more information.
Bus service to Vancouver, Kamloops, and other destinations is available through eBUS.
