A bus stopped at the Queensway Transit Exchange in downtown Kelowna. (Michael Rodriguez/Capital News)
Labor shortage leads to Kelowna transit delays, cancellations
The transit service had to alter schedules on short notice
BC Transit is currently facing a labor shortage in the Kelowna Regional Transit System which will impact services throughout the region.
According to a press release published on Tuesday, Nov. 30, the impacts have resulted in the need to alter schedules on short notice. BC Transit will be posting alerts immediately on its website once trip cancellations are confirmed to minimize the impact of these service challenges will have on customers.
BC Transit is also developing a short-term reduced service schedule anticipated to go into effect in early January 2022. Once finalized, the regional transit service will communicate the new schedule out to the public.
“BC Transit understands the situation is frustrating and appreciates our customers’ patience during this time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” BC Transit wrote in the press release.
When asked whether or not the service disruptions were linked to BC Transit’s vaccine mandate for employees, the transit service declined to comment, citing privacy concerns.
“Like many other customer-facing organizations, BC Transit has been facing an ongoing labor shortage for several months. The organization is working with our operating company, First Canada, to rectify this issue and currently has a transit operator recruitment campaign underground,” said BC Transit in an email to Black Press Media.
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