Camrose Transit updates city council

By Lori Larsen

Camrose Transit Advisory Committee (CTAC) vice-chair Patricia Johnson presented an update on CTAC to City of Camrose Council during the July 10 Committee of the Whole meeting.

The report indicated that recent surveys and community conversations identified transportation as one of the top three issues among participants.

Councillor Kevin Hycha asked if CTAC is satisfied with just one bus and at what point they would feel the need for a second bus.

Johnson replied. “I personally feel that a second bus is long over due, it was needed long before now and if we ever go that route we should look at a smaller second bus with an on-demand service.”

Hycha asked if there is a feeling that a second bus would be utilized to its full capacity with regards to ridership.

Johnson replied yes, adding that there has been many requests for additional stops.

She pointed out that CTAC is working on changes to the current fixed route bus stops to incorporate some new stops closer to the Camrose Public Library, the Wild Rose Co-op and Hillside apartments.

“There is no more money so we have to cut somewhere,” said Johnson. “We have to cut certain stops and move things around.

“There are major challenges. We have spoken with bus drivers different times of the day and days of the week and unless you work between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. in Camrose in the downtown core the bus is not possible. Also, you can only work Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday. We have encountered a couple of individuals who do use it for work when it is running but have to pay for a cab when it is not.”

Johnson suggested that a five-day-a-week ondemand service would fit ridership. “It would be very well used.”

Hycha asked if it is being presented to CTAC group or City administration.

“We were under the understanding that for three years, from last year, there was going to be no change. Basically ‘what you have is what you have’, so we are in the background looking at things.

“Transit will never pay for itself, it wouldn’t matter if every run every day was full, it is going to be a cost and somehow as a community we have to decide if it is something that has value and we are willing to invest in.”

Johnson remarked that there is a large population within Camrose that can and do use the public transit program.

She said that an ondemand service, operated properly, could service a much larger area with potentially two buses.

“This community is big enough to work together and come up with a solution.”

Johnson explained that CTAC is currently working with other organizations in the community on the Drive Happiness initiative aimed at providing inCamrose transportation to seniors.

The report to council described the (not-for-profit, independent) program to include an annual fee, and the service works with bookings made at least three days in advance.

Fees for the rides are used to reimburse the volunteer drivers who have been screened prior to being accepted into the program.

“Currently there are only five volunteers,” said Johnson which she noted is not likely enough to service the needs of the community. “I very passionately believe that we need to continue working towards it.”

Johnson added that to her knowledge currently the cabs operating in Camrose no longer take reservations. “If you have a doctor’s appointment the next day at 9 a.m. and you need to be picked up at 8:30 a.m., you have to just phone and hope there is a cab that is available.”

According to Johnson acquiring buses or vans is not as great an issue as the cost of operating the program. “We are going to have to figure that out. You are never going to be able to accommodate everyone.”

In a letter from Alberta minister of transportation, Devin Dreeshen, referenced in the July 10 report to council, he indicated there are several federal grants available to assist with rural transportation needs.

The report also included information regarding a document prepared by CTAC presented to Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely with copy to the minister Dreeshen regarding the connector service, which had previously been funded by the province. CTAC recently received news from the minister Dreeshen, that the grants are being revisited at this time and CTAC will be addressing whether or not consideration will be given to renewing the grant for the Connector service.

They will be providing information from the Inter-agency community engagement surveys and public consultation showing a strong need and desire for the Connector service or a similar one to be reinstated.

“ We definitely need to be planning ahead for transit in Camrose. We honestly cannot say we have public transit in Camrose, the way it is now. It services a very small portion of the community.”

Councillor Lucas Banack asked if there has been any difference in the redemption of taxi tokens now that they can be used for the bus as well.

Johnson replied that she is not aware if there is more redemption but that they are definitely being used on the bus

Councillor Joy-Anne Murphy commented on a presentation made during the June 26 City of Camrose regular council meeting in public commentary from a University of Alberta Augustana student expressing frustration over the lack of transit opportunities, especially any sort of connector to outside communities. “Are you working a bit with Augustana? Do you have student representation on the committee?”

Johnson replied that currently CTAC does not have representation on the committee specifically from Augustana, but it is on the upcoming meeting agenda to discuss.

The report to council indicated that CTAC has recently learned of a company willing to provide benches at bus stops, free of charge and will be working with the City to get some of these in place at stops most frequently used and that will not be changed in the near future.

For more information on the City of Camrose public transit system visit www.camrose.ca/en/ living-here/transportation. aspx#Public-Transit.