The pending sale of First Transit, the company that operates the Kelowna Regional Transit System, to a French-based firm is concerning to the union representing workers in the Central Okanagan.

Transdev Group has signed an agreement to acquire First Transit害羞草研究所檚 Canadian and U.S. operations. Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 1722 President, Al Peressini has been briefed on the sale by the union害羞草研究所檚 international president.

害羞草研究所淚t is a little bit concerning, said Peresinni. 害羞草研究所淭his is the fifth management company that害羞草研究所檚 been in Kelowna. This Transdev is out of France, another foreign company, so all the profits will be going to France now.害羞草研究所�

First Transit is currently owned by Swedish global investment firm EQT. Transdev operates in 18 countries, including Canada, running transit systems in Quebec and Ontario. Peressini said he doesn害羞草研究所檛 expect the sale will affect a plan to prevent the renewal of First Transit害羞草研究所檚 contract, which expires in March 2023. That issue came to light on Oct. 5 at a news conference during a one-day transit strike, and was brought up by outgoing mayor Colin Basran.

害羞草研究所淎s a result of conversations we害羞草研究所檝e had with BC Transit, that will not be happening,害羞草研究所� said Basran at the time. 害羞草研究所淲e have started conversations with the transport minister on what a new service delivery model may look like for our community.害羞草研究所�

Peressini added those plans are still in play.

害羞草研究所淚 haven害羞草研究所檛 been able to find out if that extension has been given or not. I害羞草研究所檝e asked some questions and I害羞草研究所檓 getting different answers.害羞草研究所�

He said he害羞草研究所檚 hopeful BC Transit will agree to make the Kelowna regional system public again, and the union will be looking to city council for support.

害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 a lot of transit-friendly councillors and they were all for it, so we害羞草研究所檒l be calling them,害羞草研究所� said Peressini.

The union has been involved in a labour dispute with First Transit which culminated in a one-day strike on Oct. 5. The two sides have agreed to let Vancouver-based arbitrator Ken Saunders settle their dispute. Peressini said the sale does not affect the mediation.

害羞草研究所淒ecember 15 and 16, we have set some firm dates with Mr. Saunders.害羞草研究所�

The sale of First Transit to Transdev will take 60 to 90 days to go through the regulatory process before it can be approved.

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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