By Duncan Cairns-Brenner

Massive expansion for transit system

Feb 23, 2016 | 6:06 AM

North Battleford’s public transit system will soon more than double in size.

The expansion will provide service going in both directions along an expanded route. While 80 per cent of the stops will remain the same, service will be extended to include the northern subdivisions of Killdeer Park and Fairview Heights. 

With service slated to go two ways, riders’ time spent on and waiting for the bus will drastically decrease.

“The biggest challenge with the old transit system was the bus circled the city and it took an hour,” Al Love, North Battleford’s transit manager, said. “So if you were riding to your destination and it was a 15-minute ride, it would be a 45-minute ride home. Now, if it’s 15 minutes to your destination, it’s 15 minutes home.” 

The expansion is expected to cost roughly double what the current system costs. However, fares are going to remain mostly the same, with the exception of a $10 increase in the cost of the monthly pass. A discounted seniors’ pass will also be available.

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The city hopes that with the new system in place more people will opt to take transit.

“Last year we had over 21,000 riders,” Love said. “It’s a variety of people, everybody from young kids to seniors going shopping, getting out, getting their medications. Lots of people use it to go back and forth to work.”

Changes to the public transit system come into effect April 1, 2016.

dcairnsbrenner@jpbg.ca