Any discussion about termination of the Zunga Bus service will take place during 2025 to 2029 financial planing later this year.
At the July 30 special council meeting, mayor Ron Woznow introduced a motion to terminate the bus service in 2025 and 2026, where reinstatement will be dependent on BC Transit’s service review and willingness to provide funding for on-demand transit.
Woznow’s motion also stipulated that the 2025 to 2029 financial plan be amended to transfer funding for the Zunga Bus to instead fund other operating expenses eligible for the local government climate action program reserve that is currently funded by property tax, in order to decrease property taxes.
Woznow said there have been tax increases of 11 per cent this year and there is the matter of lawsuits that the city can’t predict.
“It’s not an unrealistic expectation that the worst-case scenario would have tax increases in 20 or more per cent for next year,” said Woznow. “We have heard councillors talk about the importance of financial restraint and it’s inherent that council demonstrates leadership. We have a program with limited benefits to members of the community. It has a substantial negative impact on taxes. We have alternative buses and lots of friends and relatives that have helped people out when they need a ride.”
Councillor George Doubt made a motion that Woznow’s motion be referred to the 2025 to 2029 financial plan and the budgeting for 2025.
“If we are going to talk about expenditures in 2025, we might as well talk about all of them at the same time,” said Doubt. “Rather than talk about the Zunga Bus over and over, until next March, we should bring up and have this discussion in conjunction with the rest of our budgeting discussions.”
Councillor Jim Palm said bringing the motion forward now shows leadership on financial accountability.
“Now is the time to pass this motion, not banter it around later on,” said Palm.
Councillor Trina Isakson said she would vote to refer the motion, saying council should look at the big picture.
“The Zunga Bus needs to be considered in light of the whole financial package for 2025 to 2029, so I support the motion to refer,” said Isakson.
Council voted to defer the motion, with Woznow and Palm opposed.
Councillor Earl Almeida said before the Zunga Bus is discussed in the fall, he would like to see a usage report, similar to one compiled last year, with some comparisons from one year to the next.
Palm said a new report would be a regurgitation of work staff members have already done.
“We know what the ridership is; it’s no secret,” said Palm. “It’s serving only Westview and it’s serving a low number of our residents. You can go ahead and waste staff time, but I’m not going to vote in favour of this motion.”
Almeida said he doesn’t disagree that the Zunga Bus is only serving Westview and that it is serving a certain percentage of the ridership, but he is curious to see if the number is higher, lower, or the same as it was 12 months ago.
“I felt last year’s report, and I said it publicly, gave some information, but it also gave some misleading information, as it reported 22 frequent riders, but missed out about 600 other rides that weren’t accounted for in that 22 count,” said Almeida. “It’s an opportunity to learn about usage and see if there are any changes, which will impact how I decide.”
Councillor Rob Southcott said the anecdotal information he has received in recent months is different than what he received prior to that.
“I do not believe the use has remained constant,” said Southcott. “When I tried to get the Zunga Bus, I couldn’t, because it would have taken an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half to get to me. That surprised me.
“I was also surprised to find out from various seniors that they are riding it, not to mention people with lower incomes that can’t afford cars.”
Southcott proposed a motion amendment to include user detail in the staff report. The amendment carried, with Palm opposed.
The amended motion for a usage report with user detail also carried.
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