Local leaders continue working to bring public transit to Lloydminster but the issue at hand is not that simple.
Transit has been a hot topic in Lloyd for quite some time with residents asking when it’s coming and what’s the hold up.
According to Mayor Gerald Aalbers, it’s in the works, but it’s not that simple.
“One of the challenges I have is ‘what is the right system for our city,’ and I don’t know what the right system is, and this is where we’ve been working with administration and see what comes forward in the budget,” he said.
“It’s a really tough one because there is no transit system in Canada that breaks even or makes money, not one,” stressed Aalbers.
With over 30,000 people calling Lloydminster home and an annual growth rate of around two per cent, residents have expressed their support of bringing in public transit.
Aalbers explained many factors are considered when making such big decisions and cited taxi vouchers for seniors and Border City Connects services or those with mobility issues as examples of current public transportation.
“I have taxpayers that have said, ‘I’m willing to pay more so I can ride the bus.’ I’ve had taxpayers firmly against paying extra for a transit system they don’t need, so the viewpoints are as wide as I can stretch my arms,” he said, explaining taxpayers will be the ones footing the bill.
The federal government encourages public transit but will only provide funding through a grant for purchasing new buses. Provincially, Sask. Party MLA Colleen Young said she isn’t aware of any available funding.
“There is no funding I’m aware of at this point from the provincial government,” said Young. “The federal government may help with the upfront costs, but it’s the operational costs that increase year over year.”
Aalbers agrees that fuel, drivers, and required infrastructure would all fall back on the taxpayer.
If the recent survey completed as part of the Transit Master Plan study submitted to the council is a bellwether, many taxpayers are okay with that.
Highlights from the public transportation community engagement, which is part of the Public Transit Master Plan, shows 84 per cent of participants would use a transit system, regardless of whether they had a vehicle.
Walmart, Superstore and Lloyd Mall were the three highest-demand locations to travel to. Travelling to shop, work or recreation/leisure were the three main reasons for using the proposed system.
“What are people really looking for when we have people that come from other communities, be in Canada or outside of Canada, to our community? What are they expecting? A bus every 10 minutes, 15 minutes, half hour and one hour?” asked Aalbers.
“If we go to a system that is every hour, are you prepared to catch that bus and show up to work, potentially 45 minutes before your shift, because the next one won’t get you there on time?”
Aalbers doesn’t have a firm answer on the future of public transportation in Lloydminster. He doesn’t know if it’s a need this year, if they should jump right in, or do a pilot project.
When it comes to adding from $25 to possibly over $150 to each person’s tax levy, he and council want to be crystal clear on what they propose so people know exactly what they will be paying for.
The Transportation Master Plan has been accepted as information and will be debated around budget time.
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