A plan to get started with a BC transit bus route from Penticton to Okanagan Falls and back has been delayed at the RDOS. Director Tom Siddon asked for and got a two week delay so he could consult with the taxpayers in Area D – Kaleden/Okanagan Falls/Twin Lakes and Heritage Hills.

Siddon says he personally thinks it is a mistake to have only one side of the lake serviced when the bulk of the population on the west side would NOT be served.  Siddon says a park and ride at the weigh scales to allow commuters to use a bus makes more sense.

Kaleden is populated with 1300 people while the other side of the lake is not as densely populated or on the highway.

RDOS directors were told this plan came from a consultants report already accepted by a previous board and BC Transit has agreed to fund 60% of the cost. The board was told that if this offer is rejected it could take many more years to get the work done for another such transportation plan.

At the same table, directors argued again about a controversial plan to use Okanagan Mountain as the center point for an elaborate radio system for fire dispatch in the region.

The passage of the Regional District 5 year financial plan was delayed for another two weeks.