A feasibility study looking at the potential for commuter and local transit services is showing it could be a successful alternative for people to get from Okotoks to Calgary.
On Monday Okotoks council was given an update on an ongoing study looking at the potential for transit.
So far, Okotoks Sustainability co-ordinator Dawn Heffernan said the study has found a commuter service would be viable for Okotoks. She said the study has found the Town is well designed for transit and it will be a natural fit.
“The key thing is we have the right land-use planning and we have the correct commercial nodes to get the ridership,” she said.
Okotoks residents will get their chance to provide feedback on a proposed commuter and local transit services at open houses planned for June 22 and June 25 at the Okotoks Recreation Centre.
The Town’s study is also part of the Calgary Regional Partnership’s (CRP) plans to implement a regional transit program.
The study recommends a two-way commuter transit service between Okotoks and the Somerset LRT station in Calgary. Staring at the end of the line at Okotoks Costco, the proposed route winds to Southridge Drive, and includes a stop at the Centennial Arena parking lot. It then crosses the Sheep River and proceeds through downtown to 32 Street. From there it extends to Milligan Drive and across to Northridge Drive before heading to Calgary. Interim transit terminals and park and ride facilities for both commuter and local transit are proposed at the Centennial Arena.
The study recommends buses run every 30 minutes, at a minimum. At first, the service would operate during morning and afternoon peak hours. It would be expanded as demand increases to add service in the mid-day, the evening and then on weekends and holidays.
The study has determined travel time from the Okotoks Recreation Centre to a number of locations in Calgary. A trip to downtown Calgary would take 57 minutes, 44 minutes to Chinook Centre, 75 minutes to the University of Calgary and 70 minutes to SAIT.
The study has identified two routes for local transit service and a future third route. Buses would run every 30 minutes and service would be expanded over time from peak hours, to midday, evenings and weekends.
Hennifer said the Town has the option to get the commuter service operating and then start the local service later.
Council will also have to chose whether it will operate the service, or if it will contract a private company. If the service’s operations were contracted out the Town would still own the buses.
“It’s highly recommended we don’t run it ourselves, we don’t have the expertise,” said Hennifer.
If both a commuter and local service were able to meet ridership targets and were run by the Town, the study estimates the service would need $881,000 per year in taxpayer support. Using a private sector partner could drop the cost by $150,000.
Coun. Stephen Clark said the plan is ambitious and it’s going to be an expensive service for taxpayers. He acknowledged transit won’t succeed without taxpayer support, but the Town should find ways to bring down the cost to taxpayers.
“As a taxpayer I would want to know that these buses aren’t going around without ridership,” said Clark, who sits on the CRP’s transportation committee.
He also wants the Town to partner with a private sector company to operate the buses because the Town doesn’t have the experience and it could help save on operating costs.
The final draft of the study is expected to be presented to council at its Sept. 12 meeting.
