(photo/ City of North Battleford)

By battlefordsNOW staff

PUBLIC TRANSIT

Transit union petition urges North Battleford to restore transit funding

Apr 22, 2025 | 8:11 PM

The union representing transit workers in North Battleford is urging the City to reconsider upcoming service reductions and restore previous funding levels through a public petition.

Darcy Pederson, president and business agent for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 615, said over 200 residents have signed the petition so far. The union plans to bring it to city council once they reach 500 signatures.

“I would suggest that they need to reinstate the funding and reinstate the service back to previous levels and provide a good, safe, reliable system for the people of North Battleford,” Pederson said.

The petition comes after a March 10 decision by North Battleford City Council to approve a recommendation from the Battlefords Transit System (BTS) board. The changes will reduce weekday service to a single route with shorter hours, beginning May 1.

City officials said the move was driven by rising operating costs and limited funding eligibility.

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“Right now, we are paying $16.48 per rider for each and every ride that’s going on. So, it’s gotten quite expensive in the past years,” city manager Randy Patrick said during the March 10 council meeting.

In a written statement, Coun. Greg Lightfoot, chair of the BTS board, said North Battleford doesn’t meet the requirements for provincial transit funding.

“It’s always unfortunate when you have to examine cost-savings measures, particularly with a service that is vital to many community members,” Lightfoot said.

“Because the goal is still to provide the city with affordable and sustainable transportation options, in lieu of raising BTS fares for the ridership, this was the most efficient way to reduce costs while maintaining service delivery that can still meet the needs of users.”

According to Pederson, the petition also follows budget cuts that reduced the system’s funding by more than half and resulted in the layoff of six of 11 workers—shortly after the union was certified earlier this year.

“We believe it’s directly correlated with the organization that we did out there,” Pederson said.

Lightfoot emphasized the service changes are unrelated to the recent unionization, and that contract negotiations with ATU Local 615 are expected to begin soon.

Despite the reductions, he said the City is open to reviewing the decision in the months ahead.

“We’ll reevaluate it, have a look at it, see if there’s any changes that need to be done. Possibly look at other models,” Lightfoot said.

Under the revised schedule, BTS will continue serving 72 stops across the city, with buses operating weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fares will remain unchanged: $4 for adults, $2 for youth, and free for children under six. The Battlefords Handi-Bus service—jointly funded by the City of North Battleford, the Town of Battleford, and the provincial government—will not be affected.

While Pederson acknowledged the City’s funding limitations, he said reliable transit remains essential for those who depend on it daily.

“A lot of people can’t afford vehicles. The students, the elderly, those that can’t drive—vital transit is how we get those people around the city,” he said.

The union hopes the petition will spark a broader discussion about the long-term future of public transit in smaller communities like North Battleford.

“We need to think about those people when we’re signing that petition,” Pederson said.

Read more – North Battleford cuts transit service, reduces to single route to save cost

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com