Berwick votes ‘no’ to big bus budget hike
BY SARA KEDDY
Kings County Register
It’s a move that’s not going to get them anywhere, but Berwick council defeated the Kings Transit budget April 8.
With a 30 per cent increase for 2008/ 2009 and a share of a $100,000-plus 2007/ 2008 deficit, councillors aren’t happy what Berwick is paying for is what Berwick is getting.
Kings Transit attributes the latest budget’s increases to higher maintenance costs and the addition of two feeder services, one north of Wolfville and the other north of Kentville.
“Berwick wouldn’t benefit at all, and there needs to be a total benefit to the whole run,” Councillor Richard Horsburgh said.
Council did understand the transit authority’s past budgets have not realistically accounted for maintenance costs, and budgets’ bottom lines “didn’t look bad,” Councillor Beth Easson said.
Councillor Anna Ashford Morton agreed, but said “there doesn’t seem to be a big sweat there they’ve sent out big bills. Sharpen your pencils - there are GPS phones and cameras going on the buses.
“It’s a public mandate to support transit, but has it gotten to the point it’s too expensive?”
Berwick’s share of Kings Transit’s 2008/ 2009 operating and capital budgets is $27,247.
Mayor John Prall said Berwick wasn’t a partner in Kings Transit for a number of its early years, and doesn’t have to continue.
“We don’t have people lining up at stops: if there’s two or three, they’re lucky. Can we afford that?”
Calling it perhaps a “Cadillac system,” with multiple routes, a number of buses and a frequent scheduling, Prall wondered if the service needs to be as big as it has become.
“I don’t think we’re going to stop it because of the numbers,” Councillor Mike Trinacty said. “It’s what service are we getting here compared to fuller services elsewhere? I’m satisfied with the service and the role the town has in providing it; we’re not happy with the 30 per cent increase.”
The motion to approve the budget was made by Councillor Gary Whittier and seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Clarke, but all councillors voted against it.
The town is wrapped up in Kings Transit through intermunicipal agreements, so the negative vote is more of a message Berwick wants attention paid to budgeting, levels of service and perhaps even a review of the five per cent share required by Kings Transit. Other service agreements require Berwick to contribute 2.8 per cent.
lack of use by Residents
Sabrina BezansonArticle online since April 21st 2008
"we dont have people lining up at stops:if theres two or three,theyre lucky."
I completely disagree with this statement. I myself depend on the public transit system going through the town of Berwick. Today I took the transit with my son there were plenty of people standing in front of Price Chopper waiting for the transit when I got off the bus and again when I got back on to go home. so people are using the service.
Majority of the people that rely on the bus service are low income families and senior citizens that hav no other way of transportation. If the Transit service was pulled from the town of Berwick many seniors and low income families would have to find alternate ways of getting to and from the grocery store which the bus now stops in front of.
And what about students that live in town who attend Kingstec and Acadia the transit also serves a purpose for them. There are plenty of people useing the service not just two or three.
I think the mayor should get off his butt and take a look at how many people in the town rely on the service Kings Transit is providing and not assume that everyone in town has a vehicle and other ways to travel. Maybe he should ride the bus once and a while and see how many passengers get on and off in the town