Transit terminal will be used as was after switchback
By Gillian Slade on September 28, 2017.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com @MHNGillianSlade The transit terminal in downtown Medicine Hat may be sitting empty at the moment but that is not going to be the case for long with the old transit system to be reinstated, the city says. “We have clear direction from council that we are to reinstate the old transit system,” said the city’s CAO Merete Heggelund. “This will include the use of the terminal the way it was under that system.” How long it will take before that happens is a matter of months. “We are not waiting for any further direction, council’s motion provides the direction we require,” said Heggelund. Part of the preparations to return to the old transit system include hiring and training 10 new staff, said Heggelund. Five full-time bus drivers were offered part-time positions on Aug. 15 but prior to that five positions in the department had been left vacant in anticipation of implementing a new system. The new transit system was implemented to achieve the goals of the city’s “Financially Fit” program and included fairly significant cuts in transit services. “I think we need to recognize up front that it was fundamentally a service cut. Absolutely it was,” said Heggelund. “It was mandated to be a service cut.” The city’s announcement Aug. 8 inviting media to the unveiling of the plan called it “Transit System Improvements.” A press release the following day said “New Transit System Design Improves Services.” The city’s “Rationale for change” stated: “Improved services for riders delivered in a cost effective manner will benefit customers and taxpayers and serve to attract new Transit users.” 12-11
