NORTH BATTLEFORD — In a controversial decision, the city council of North Battleford reduced the budget for Battlefords Transit system to $113,325 for the year 2025. This reduction is nearly half of the previous funding level of $238,586, raising concerns among residents who rely on the services.
The cuts have not only reduced the budget but also led to significant changes in the transit system. Service now has only two transit lines, one operating in the morning and one in the evening. This alteration has left many citizens without transportation options during the afternoon, raising alarms for those who depend on transit for work, school and daily errands.
During recent budget deliberations, city council members expressed their desire to lower the cost per ride, which was reported at $16. In response, the transit department proposed recommendations that were subsequently approved by the council. While one route will still operate with services in the morning and evening across the same 72 stops.
Mayor Kelli Hawtin acknowledged the importance of public transportation, stating, “Council really does understand the value of public transportation, which is why we continue to fund it. However, we have also asked transit to find more efficiencies.”
The mayor emphasized the goal of reducing the subsidy from $16 per ride to a more sustainable level.
In response to the budget cuts, residents of North Battleford have stepped forward, voicing their discontent and concerns. A letter was then submitted to the city council stating, “These harsh transit budget cuts have resulted in layoffs for 50 per cent of the transit workforce, gravely impacting the daily transportation of countless citizens.”
The authors of the letter argued that increased investment in public transportation will not only benefit the city’s residents but also contribute positively to the environment by reducing reliance on cars, thus improving air quality, especially for vulnerable populations.
“What we have asked transit to also do, while we have asked them to reduce budget, we have also asked them to look at more efficiencies,” Hawtin explained. “
And so Battlefords Transit board has come back to us and they will be looking at possibly how they could provide transit services in a more efficient way in the community.
“Our overall goal would be to reduce that subsidy from $16 per ride to something reasonable.”
