A growing number of Summerland residents are choosing to travel by bus.
The first quarter ridership numbers for Route 30, providing service between Summerland and Penticton, shows an increase in the number of people going by bus.
In the first quarter of 2025, the bus route had a total of 4,801 riders, Odessa Cohen, manager of planning and sustainability for the municipality said in a report to council.
This includes 1,673 in January, 1,508 in February and 1,620 in March.
The numbers show an increase of 3.9 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2024, when the service had 4,622 riders, and an increase of 21 per cent from the first quarter of 2023 when 3,790 people used the bus service.
In April, 2023, Summerland launched a free bus fare program for Route 30 on a one-year trial basis. The program became permanent one year later.
香蕉视频直播淔ree bus fare keeps money in people香蕉视频直播檚 pockets and ensures essential services remain accessible,香蕉视频直播� Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes said at the time. 香蕉视频直播淚t reinforces the principle that mobility is a right and that transit is a public good, like schools and libraries 香蕉视频直播� services that some people use more than others but which benefits the community as a whole.香蕉视频直播�
Summerland is the first community in the province to offer ongoing free fares for residents of all ages.
While the service is free for Summerland residents, those using the free fare program must load a Summerland Free Fare pass onto their new Umo card or the Umo App at any one of the BC Transit vendors in Summerland, with the provision of proof of residency (either government ID, utility bill or student ID).
At present, the bus service has five round trips between Summerland and Penticton on Route 30, operating Monday to Saturday.
