BC Transit has announced it is limiting the number of passengers on board its buses to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

A Kelowna transit bus has been impounded for 30 days after its driver was found impaired, according to RCMP.

The driver, a 52-year-old man, was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition (IRP). 

Since the closure of several bus depots on Vancouver Island this year, passengers are often left waiting outside in poor weather conditions for hours.

Coun. Sharmarke Dubow says being forced to rely on transit would help decision makers better understand the flaws in the system.

The incident happened along Highway 97, near the entrance to the airport, with the semi allegedly clipping the bus.

"We are expecting a full recovery physically. We never know how it is going to affect somebody mentally."

There will be a new bus travelling between Penticton, Summerland and Kelowna during weekdays.

Victoria youth will start riding transit for free this fall, but residents living elsewhere in the Capital Regional District won't be so lucky.

A B.C. Transit spokesperson confirmed in an email that the bus involved is associated with the company.