Dear Editor,
So Okotoks town council is considering public transit (Western Wheel Oct. 5). Given the tens of millions spent creating a suburb road network in and around Okotoks, it seems rather paradoxical that another $20 million be spent trying to get some of these users to park their vehicle and use a public bus. Is this Greek economics? Borrowed funds are not free, they are simply debts repaid through future taxes. And the labour and benefit costs associated with all the additional staff the Town would hire to administer and operate such a system will result in higher property taxes – just to fund operations.
Okotoks already has a bus system. For six bucks one can be picked up within a couple blocks of their residence, travel to downtown Calgary in an air conditioned, wifi coach with private reclined seating with washrooms. There is no taxpayer burden and many retirement complexes have their own private transit. The Town could not hope to compete with this price or level of service without massive taxpayer subsidies. And it is highly doubtful the City of Calgary would allow any feeder bus to use their taxpayer supported transit without a hefty fee being paid.
Reckless spending and debt accumulation has led to the implosion of many countries and United States. Government spending must be transparent and subject to critical cost/benefit analysis or the folly that has infected much of the world economy will find its way here.
Connecting residents via safe and convenient pathways to schools, shopping, recreation and each other is one way to be green, support local business, reduce health care costs and be affordable – especially if the Town required developers to install pathway connections at the outset.
Ken Miklos
Millarville
