The changes to the City of North Battleford’s transit system are now officially a go.
North Battleford city council has approved the much talked-about expansion to the transit system and now it is full steam ahead toward an April 1 launch of the new route.
The transit changes were approved at council’s meeting Monday night, and come on the heels of information sessions held at local shopping malls earlier this month.
Planner Devin MacAulay made the presentation to council about the proposed expansion, with transit manager Al Love also in attendance. Most of the planned changes are already well known following presentations during the budget process and the recent information sessions.
The old route saw one bus make a single loop around the city over the course of an hour, which made for long rides for some of the customers. The plan put forward by administration is for a two-bus route system, with buses running in opposite directions.
The buses would meet at the Co-op Territorial Place Mall at the 50 minute mark past the hour. From there, one bus will take riders to Killdeer Park and Fairview Heights and then return back to the mall ten minutes later.
As well, there are some changes coming to fares. Adult single ride fares are proposed to remain the same at $3 and youth single fares at $2.
But adult monthly fares are to go up $10 to $60, and the youth monthly pass will go up $5 to $40. Also coming are two new passes: an adult eight ticket pass for $20 and a senior (60+) monthly fare for $50.
Most of these proposals were presented to the public during two February information sessions and feedback was mainly positive. The one at the Co-op was particularly successful, said MacAulay, as they spoke with over 100 residents, many of whom were active transit users.
As a result, MacAulay noted, there were some further changes made to the route.
The changes are designed to address concerns raised over the last number of years from riders who expressed a desire for shorter ride times and also service to Killdeer and Fairview, the two new residential areas on the expanded route map.
Still not included as part of the route is the town of Battleford. Councillor Ryan Bater asked if there were any discussions about whether the program was open to Battleford to join if they wished.
MacAulay said there were discussions with the Town back in October. Since then a new administrator, John Enns-Wind, has taken over, and MacAulay said they intend to have those conversations in the near future.
The new route is being introduced on a trial basis. A full report on the changes will be included in the 2017 budget.
The next steps will include a communications effort to let people know of the changes. Those will be through media releases and advertising, as well as another open house event.
Transit is also proposing free transit rides on April 1 and 2 to introduce the changes.
MacAulay told council there will be postings placed on the stops that will be removed to notify riders, as well as material on the buses so active riders will be aware of the changes.
