Transportation Review

TRANSPORTATION CHANGES

At the April 30, 2025, Board meeting, the Board of Education, School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) approved two changes that will have an impact on the transportation system for the upcoming school year.

1. Reduction in walk limits
   1. Students in Grades K-7 living more than 2.5km from their catchment school are eligible for transportation (previously 4.0km)
   2. Students in Grades 8-12 living more than 3.2km from their catchment school are eligible for transportation (previously 4.8km)
2. Implementation of a transportation fee for all riders for the upcoming school year
   1. Eligible riders - $75
   2. Courtesy riders - $225

The $25 registration fee will continue to be charged for each rider.

BACKGROUND

The Board of Education adopted a Long-Range Facilities Plan on April 10, 2024 that included the closure of 3 schools, and planning for a change in location of our ConnectEd program site effective June 30, 2025 and a district grade reconfiguration.

SD67 Long-Range Facilities Plan

As part of the Long-Range Facilities Plan, the District conducted a Transportation Review in the fall of 2024 to assess the potential impact of school closures and a grade reconfiguration on the transportation system. First Services was contracted to conduct the review, and the results were presented to the Board at the Regular Board meeting on February 26, 2025.

See presentation/overview of transportation review

Overview - Transportation Review

Recommendations

Recommendations from the transportation review include the following:

That the Board of Education consider reducing walk limits

Reducing walk limits will result in more riders being "eligible" for transportation and will reduce the number of courtesy riders.

That the Board of Education consider implementing transportation fees

Transportation fees will generate revenue and help to offset the costs of transportation for the district. These funds could go back into supporting programs and services for all students in our schools.

Please complete the survey below to provide feedback on the recommendations. Survey will be open until April 18, 2025.

KEY FACTS

• SD67 Transportation Budget - $1.0M
• 18 schools including Connect Ed
• Approximately 5,860 students
• 13 bus runs
• 1225 registered riders
  • 550 eligible riders
  • 675 courtesy riders

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Free Transit Passes for Ages 24 and Under

A partnership with the City of Penticton

The Safe Routes to School program aims to create a safe environment for students to walk, wheel and roll to school wherever possible. The City is partnering with the school district, school administration, caregivers and students to understand school travel choices and identify any existing transportation challenges and opportunities for improvement.

The City launched the project in May 2023 in partnership with Carmi and Uplands Elementary schools and is committed to continuing the Safe Routes to School program by completing two schools each year. The City has already started the process for Columbia Elementary and Skaha Lake Elementary.

See the Memorandum from the City of Penticton to School District No. 67 for more information on how the City and the School District have partnered to ensure safe routes to school for students in the district.

Visit City of Penticton - Safe Routes to School for more information.

Safe Routes to School - Memo from City to School District

A partnership with the District of Summerland

The District of Summerland is currently in the process of updating it's Transportation Master Plan. As part of this plan, the District of Summerland is reviewing active transportation routes, identifying transportation network and infrastructure gaps and developing conceptual design of priority projects.

The District of Summerland has worked to integrate safe routing to the downtown schools as part of the project. The project will develop a Safe Routes to School Plan identifying infrastructure upgrades and safe routes to walk and cycle to school. The project will also include significant public and community engagement.

See the Memorandum from the District of Summerland to School District No. 67 for more information on how the District and the School District have partnered to ensure safe routes to school for students in the district.

Safe Routes to Schools - Memo from District of Summerland