Planning efforts continues in the City's efforts towards revamping the North Battleford transit system.
Monday, city council received a report from Lars Ketilson, planning technologist with the City's public works and utilities department, about transit routes and bus stops.
In the report, dated Dec. 21, were maps of the transit route showing the location of 57 bus stop locations along the main route as well as 18 to be located along proposed expansion routes to a number of areas of the city not currently serviced by the transit system.
The bus stop locations were chosen, noted Ketilson, to "maximize coverage of the city."
Also outlined in detail were the expansion plans for the system. Those call for service to the southeast corner of the city where the Credit Union CUPlex is currently under construction. The expansion route reaching the CUPlex is to be incorporated into the main route once the CUPlex is open, according to Ketilson's report.
Also planned are possible expansion routes to the Killdeer Park/Fairview Heights area, as well as to Parsons Industrial Park.
These are, however, routes described as "optional" that "unless prove a consistent ridership will be driven only when a request for pickup is made through the Book-a-Bus system," noted Ketilson.
The Book-a-Bus system would allow transit users to call the transit system to schedule a pickup, with plans afoot to implement that service by May 2012.
There could still be minor changes or adjustments made to the routes before the expanded route map is implemented. Public works director Stewart Schafer told council Monday that the routes would have to come back to council for their approval.
The report follows numerous changes to the North Battleford Transit System since last fall.
Last October, the City took over responsibility for transit after the expiry of their contract with First Bus Canada. Two brand-new buses have been in service since that time.
Councillor Grace Lang noted at Monday's meeting the new buses have received "very good comments" both from riders and also from non-riders who liked the new look.
