An intended motion to look at expanding Zunga Bus service has been put on hold until BC Transit can meet with City of Powell River to discuss busing.
For the March 21 city council meeting, councillor Earl Almeida had put a recommendation on council’s agenda that staff be directed to bring a report back to council analyzing the additional revenues and costs of expanding the on-demand bus hours of operation and service to Townsite, Cranberry and Wildwood neighbourhoods, alongside the considerations included in the memorandum of understanding with BC Transit regarding future conventional expansion.
Almeida said he had put out notice of motion a couple of weeks ago, but he found out from staff earlier in the week that the city’s transportation team was in conversation with BC Transit.
“I found out we have a meeting scheduled for next month with our friendly BC Transit official,” said Almeida. “With that being said, the motion today might be overeager. I’d like to make a motion regarding the analysis of the Zunga Bus service to be referred to the May 16 council meeting, after council has had a chance to hear from BC Transit regarding future plans, and that council defer any staff action on the Zunga Bus analysis to a later date once council has met with BC Transit regarding future plans.”
The motion carried unanimously.
Councillor Rob Southcott said he was of the opinion that the Zunga Bus needs to be part of the city’s transit system.
Deputy corporate officer Jessica Lefort said from what staff has heard from BC Transit, transit authorities were working on a presentation to city council prior to Almeida making a motion.
“I pushed diligently to get a date, so they are coming to the April 30 committee of the whole meeting,” said Lefort. “They wanted about an hour and a half. It sounds like it will be a robust presentation and they did specify they are interested in incorporating on-demand into future expansion.
“While I can’t speak for BC Transit, we’ll hear from them what they are going to present and council can make decisions based on that. It sounds like it will be worth hearing what they have to say.”
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