Battlefords Transit System manager Liana Clinton, centre left, at council's meeting this week. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Operations costs

Battlefords Transit System asks for increase for handi-bus operations

Feb 23, 2023 | 4:10 PM

Battlefords Transit System manager Liana Clinton and committee member Greg Lightfoot visited Town of Battleford council this week to request a $6,784 increase in funding from the town, to help with Battlefords handi-bus operations costs.

“The original ask came past the deadline of the town for submissions for budgetary contributions from the town,” Mayor Ames Leslie said. “So, council at the time had just agreed to increase the two per cent as per what our tax increase was for the year.”

He said council heard from the handi-bus group now they need more funding.

“The extra funding is going to go a long way to maintain services in the community, as their government funding has been reduced,” Leslie said. “So, council will get together and have a discussion over the next couple of weeks here, and look to give them a response for the next council meeting.”

Clinton said they received a 50 per cent decrease in their Transit Assistance for People with Disabilities (TAPD) funding from the province, because it was based on ridership numbers from 2021, when fewer people were using the service due to the pandemic.

Riderville

A LOT Going on This Week

1h ago

SHEEP TALK

New 4-H sheep club in Makwa offers hands-on experience in sheep raising

17h ago

Battleford Flag Raising

Battleford pays tribute to veterans with annual poppy flag raising

17h ago

She added drivers also needed a wage increase, which impacts operations costs as well. Clinton said without the ask amount from the town, the services would likely have to be reduced at some point this year to make up for the difference.

“We are hoping it isn’t out of the realm of possibility to just get us up to that very tight budget line that we need to be at for 2023,” Clinton said.

The funding request will come back to the town’s next council meeting for further discussion, and consideration for council’s approval.

–

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW