Council discusses public transit

Written by production

Wednesday, 03 February 2010 19:28

Redcliff public transit Public transit for the people of Redcliff was once again a topic of discussion at the town's administration committee meeting held on Jan. 18. The town has been in negotiations with the City of Medicine Hat to look at options for providing public transit into Redcliff on a regular basis, but no agreement has yet been reached. Town manager, Kim Swanson contacted other municipalities of similar size, including Taber, High Level, Blackfalds, Fort Saskatchewan and Jasper and learned that none have public transit in place for their residents. Banff and Hinton do provide public transportation and Lacombe provides special transit services similar to what is currently offered in Redcliff. Spruce Grove also provides public transportation at a cost of $1,000,000 per year. Swanson said that according to information garnered at a recent Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference, the typical threshold for providing transit services is a population of 15,000. Redcliff is also in negotiations with a private contractor and has received a proposal, but the committee moved to delay reviewing it until after the town has heard back from the City of Medicine Hat. The town requires a response from the city before their next administrative meeting on Feb. 15.