The new-look North Battleford Transit System is now in operation.
October 1 was the first day of service for the transit system's two new 22-seat buses. The bright new white buses, with green lettering and images of the city on its windows, can now be seen travelling along the same routes the former yellow school buses had used for the transit service. The buses went into service that afternoon.
In addition, new fares went into effect for the bus service, rising from $2 to $3 as of Oct.1.
The new-look bus service culminates a couple of years of discussions at city hall about what could be done to improve the transit system. A study was commissioned in 2009 and consultant Dennis McCullough was taken on to study the transit system, gain feedback and provide recommendations.
After multiple meetings with stakeholders and the public, McCullough brought back 15 recommendations to council in December 2009. Among those recommendations were ones to purchase new and recognizable buses to replace the school buses.
The new buses were purchased earlier this year with some funding help from the federal government and are similar to the ones currently operated by Battlefords Handi-Bus, who were also put in charge of the transit system, as the city's transit contract with First Bus Canada Ltd. has expired.
City council approved the operations agreement with Battlefords Handi-Bus to take over the transit system Sept. 26.
The current plan is to maintain the current weekday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours and Saturday hours from 9 to 4 p.m. The current route will be maintained in the short term, but in speaking to the News-Optimist last week transit manager Al Love promised changes would be rolled out in the coming weeks.
One of the innovations coming is a "Book-a-Bus" service. The concept was introduced to city councillors the Sept. 26 meeting.
The idea is that the bus would make a few permanent stops during its scheduled hour of operation at select locations. At other locations along the route, however, customers can pre-book the stop and the bus will come straight to their sidewalk.
The plan is for the transit bus to constantly circle the city during its hour of operation. Some concern was expressed by Councillor Trent Houk about initial plans to not include the Parsons Industrial Park area at the moment, though that could change as needs dictate.
According to the information provided to council, the proposed schedule calls for the bus to run from 7 a.m. until 6:45 p.m., with the city divided into four sections to be serviced for an estimated 15 minutes every hour. Customers can call a dispatcher 15 minutes before the bus enters the pick-up area to allow time for calls to be organized, give the dispatcher the name and address and intended destination, and the dispatcher would then tell the customer the approximate time the bus would arrive. The dispatcher would operate only between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. so any unscheduled stops would have to be booked during those hours.
The plan is also ultimately for the buses to make hourly stops at: the Co-op Territorial Place Mall, Day and Night Deli, the Bargain Store on 100th Street, Battlefords Union Hospital and Valley View Towers.
