The reasons why several plans approved by council for St. Albert Transit haven’t yet been completed will be discussed during budget deliberations.
“Any unfinished projects will be discussed at budget,” said transit director Bob McDonald. “We’ll be making explanations at that time.”
Under questioning from Mayor Nolan Crouse Monday night, McDonald admitted that transit wasn’t proceeding with handibus scheduling software approved earlier this year, a $140,000 approved transit corridor study and a $60,000 LRT task force. He also said that work to install security cameras, approved in 2009, was only now being put together into a request for proposal.
Transit was asking for council approval Monday night of a $250,000 rapid transit master plan that was eventually voted down by a majority of councillors. Crouse cited 13 reasons for not proceeding with the rapid transit plan, including concerns over workload for transit staff and anticipated work for the proposed park and ride to the south of the city.
“We’ll update council as to the things we’re planning to complete in the coming years,” McDonald said.
Transit will make its budget presentation to council Thursday, Nov. 22.
Planning is already starting for the south transit park and ride, which is awaiting final approval from the provincial government. The city is negotiating a lease on land in the transportation utility corridor. Once that is finalized, St. Albert also needs the GreenTRIP money it applied for from the province.
Crouse said Monday night there were no signs of any roadblocks with the project. McDonald said his staff is already meeting to start planning the site’s future.
“We’re very close to being able to have access to the land so we’re starting up our planning process,” McDonald said.
