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FORD BRONCO SPORT
North Battleford’s transit budget cuts spark community outrage By Matthias J. Johnson Editor
Ends June 30, 2025
In a controversial decision, the City Council of North Battleford reduced the budget for Battleford Transit Lines to $113,325 for the year 2025. This dramatic reduction is nearly half of the previous funding level of $238,586, raising concerns among residents who rely on these vital services. The cuts have not only reduced the budget but also led to significant changes in the transit system. Service now has only two transit lines, one operating in the morning and one in the evening. This alteration has left many citizens without essential transportation options during the afternoon, raising alarms for those who depend on transit for work, school, and daily errands. During recent budget deliberations, city council members expressed their desire to lower the cost per ride, which was reported at $16. In response, the transit department proposed recommendations that were subsequently approved by the council. While one route will still operate with services in the morning and evening across the same 72
Concerned citizens represented at the May 26, city council meeting. | Photo by Matthias J. Johnson stops. Battleford have stepped environment by reducing re- to us and they will be lookMayor Kelli Hawtin ac- forward, voicing their dis- liance on cars, thus improv- ing at possibly how they knowledged the importance content and concerns. A ing air quality, especially for could provide transit serof public transportation, letter was then submitted vulnerable populations. vices in a more efficient way stating, “Council really to the city council stating, As Battleford Transit ex- in the community,” Hawtin does understand the value “These harsh transit budget plores avenues for enhanced continued, “Our overall goal of public transportation, cuts have resulted in layoffs efficiency, the plan is to not would be able to reduce that which is why we continue for 50% of the transit work- only manage fiscal respon- subsidy from $16 per ride to to fund it. However, we force, gravely impacting sibility but also improve something reasonable.” have also asked transit to the daily transportation of service for the community. The cooperation between find more efficiencies.” The countless citizens.” “What we have asked the transit board and the mayor emphasized the goal The authors of the letter transit to also do, while we community will be crucial of reducing the subsidy from argued that increased invest- have asked them to reduce in achieving these goals, $16 per ride to a more sus- ment in public transporta- budget, we have also asked ultimately fostering a more tainable level. tion will not only benefit them to look at more effi- effective transit system that In response to the bud- the city’s residents but also ciencies. And so Battleford better serves the needs of all get cuts, residents of North contribute positively to the Transit board has come back residents.
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