A meeting in Penticton last week attended by South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce (SOCC) leaders and 45 interested parties to discuss a proposed daily shuttle service to run from Osoyoos to the Kelowna International Airport has resulted in a renewed thrust to get this needed transporation link working by next year.

The shuttle would include stops in all communities en route along Highway 97 including Oliver, Okanagan Falls, Penticton and its Airport.

The meeting September 12th was facilitated by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association with a presentation by Sam Samaddar, Kelowna Airport Manager who outlined the growth of both domestic and international traffic at his location and an analysis of South Okanagan traffic using air transportation.

The South Okanagan Chamber provided details of how ground transportation is provided at the moment and the need for improved service.

SOCC President Holly Plante says “there was a consensus to improve this type of ground transportation. It was also concluded that the initiative to provide an improved service should come from the private sector and not government, but involve BC Transit in planning it.”   A working committee was formed to prepare an RFP (Request for Proposal) which will then be distributed to industry for response. The objective is to have the shuttle service operating by the spring of 2014