Media presentation has been set for Spirit Ridge (Nk’Mip Winery) in Osoyoos for 11am  on Friday August 8th.

No details yet but the announcement is expected to disclose which company has agreed to run the shuttle service between Osoyoos and Kelowna and the number of stops in the schedule.

Other announcements could be made with regard to the participation of an airline partner and the way the whole concept will be marketed by the TOTA – Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.

The service is needed but the cost and breaking past habits of driving and parking need to be sold to the public.

Once the meetings are over a public announcement is to be made on start up details including schedules, fares and pick up locations.

The bid document was  prepared following extensive input from valley residents, business operators, airport managers in Kelowna and Penticton, tourism organizations, Chamber of Commerce offices and others through the formation of the South Okanagan Transportation Advisory (SOGTA) Committee working with Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.

The intention was to have service up and running by June.  This new service expected to be running by late summer.

The South Okanagan shuttle was intended to have daily bus service between Osoyoos and the Kelowna airport – with stops in every community along the way, including downtown Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland, Penticton, Okanagan Falls and Oliver – starting June 1.

Robert Lintell, who has headed this initiateive says a service provider has been identified.

He also indicated a major Canadian airline company could come on board as a sponsor of this daily service.