By Sheldon Spackman

Lacombe city councillor seeks BOLT Transit exit

Feb 20, 2019 | 8:57 AM

A Lacombe city councillor is calling for an end to BOLT Transit service to his community.

Chris Ross has put forth a Notice of Motion directing Town Administration to provide exit strategy options when it comes to BOLT Transit, with consideration of its regional partners and the residents of the City of Lacombe.

Ross says the financial viability of the service between Red Deer, Blackfalds and Lacombe has been a concern in the community for a while now.

“After the end of December, ridership numbers did not really significantly increase from 2017,” says Ross. “In 2017 the total rides were 19,751 and in 2018 there were 20,348. Breaking it down, it’s approximately 27 people per day who used the service in 2017, so that slightly increased to 28.”

Essentially, Ross feels ridership numbers have not increased enough since the service launched in 2014 to justify the amount the City of Lacombe has invested in it.

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“Blackfalds and Lacombe each put in approximately $220,000 per year into the service,” declares Ross. “So for a total of $440,000 per year between the two for only approximately 28 people per day riding the service, it’s been a concern since the new council. For that amount of money, I think we have to look at other options.”

In his opinion, Ross feels the only way to possibly increase ridership would be to increase the amount of runs in the morning and late afternoon by providing a larger investment.

“But currently with the amount being put in, I think to put more money into it where it currently hasn’t proved itself I don’t think justifies that,” says Ross. “I’m hoping an exit strategy from Administration can provide options to either significantly reduce the service or eliminate it completely. The total tax dollars required between the Town of Blackfalds and City of Lacombe is too excessive for the dollars that are required to maintain it.”

Ross admits a smaller 15-passenger bus with runs in the mornings and late afternoons may also be an option to consider.

“I’m open to options but they have to serve the tax dollars more wisely,” Ross exclaims. “The way the system is now, I’m not in support of it. I respect that with public transit you will never break even or make money but there still has to be enough participation to justify providing it.”

Ross’s will be considered at council’s next regular meeting Feb. 25.

Last June, Lacombe city council voted 4-3 against giving one year’s notice to pull out of BOLT Transit, which launched in August 2014.