Q&A with Al Love

My wife Val and I opened and operated the Sears Dealer Outlet in North Battleford from 1997 to 2008

How has the North Battleford transit grown since you started compared to where it is now?

When I started with the Handi-Bus I was only working three to four days a week. They ran two or three busses weekdays and one on Saturdays, there was about seven staff. When I retired, I was working full-time with the three Handi-Bus running at full capacity most days, as well as service on Saturday and Sundays and charter services on a weekly basis. Equally as large, we also operated the Public Transit Service for the City of North Battleford providing two buses operating 12 hours daily, six days a week.

What are the three accomplishments you are most proud of during your time at NB transit and why?

The Handi-Bus evolved filling a need, largely dependent on the compassion of those who provided the services prior to me. I hope one of my accomplishments will have been elevating the image of the Handi-Bus service so it’s true value can be seen by clients, staff and general public. I am proud that we were considered the option when asked to assist with the City of North Battleford Transit System. My best accomplishment has to be the relationships I have been luckily enough to experience with everyone over the past years.

What are some of the things you wished you had accomplished while with NB Transit?

Managing can be a challenge and it becomes a balancing act. You manage what is best for the company, best for your staff and best for your customers, all at the same time. There will always be things you wish you accomplished, but circumstances may not always have allowed.

What would you like to say to the people of North Battleford who use your transit system?

On public transit in the city — A Transit System offers many unseen rewards to a municipality and the residents of North Battleford are lucky that past and present councils have recognized the benefits of having a Transit System and have made that investment, even supporting an expanded service to ensure that a large majority of residents can have access to the service. But like all public services, the public needs to take advantage [of it] so it can continue to blossom and benefit the community.

On Handi-Bus service — The definition to qualify for the Handi-Bus service is you need to have mobility impairment. As you can imagine this could mean a wide variety of people. The Handi-Bus service deals with individuals from those whose only option for transportation is a wheelchair lift equipped bus, to a few who feel the service should be their own personal taxi. Be aware when you use the system that others rely on it as well.

Why did you decide to retire?

It was time, people say you know and it’s true. Although a very rewarding job, it was challenging. We had grown from a mom and pop operation serving a small segment of the population to an operation that employs almost 20 employees, and three times the equipment. The number of people we serve, and the budgets to do so, are much larger and more complex than they were 10 years ago. I felt comfortable I had brought us as far as I could and felt it was time to pass the reins on to someone else to take it forward from this point.

What are your plans now?

I have always been busy and always involved with many things. I am looking forward to trying some new things and continuing on with present interests.

Greg Higgins is battlefordsNOW’s city municipal affairs and health reporter. He can be reached at ghiggins@jpbg.ca or tweet him @realgreghiggins.

by Greg Higgins

Q&A with Al Love

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