For Immediate Release September 26, 2011
New North Battleford Public Transit Buses Battlefords Transit System, which operates the Handi-Bus, will take over the operations of North Battleford Public Transit on October 1st, 2011. With the takeover, two new buses will take to the streets. “As identified in the McCullough Report on Public Transit in North Battleford, there is an image problem that needs to be addressed with the existing transit buses, which look like school buses,” said Al Love, Transit Manager, Battlefords Transit System. “The new buses are easily identifiable and unique looking.” The City purchased two 23 seat buses under a Federal Government public transit program. City photographs have been decaled onto the new buses. The McCullough Report was released in December 2009 and included 15 recommendations to improve public transit in North Battleford. Recommendations included purchasing new buses and making them identifiable. “This is a start,” said Love. “Implementing the recommendations we think make sense when it comes to satisfying our ridership and attracting more, will take some time and we hope the public bears with us.” Love said the Public Transit service will follow the same route as the existing one and keep the same hours, however, plans to expand the route and increase transit hours are in the works. The goal is to eventually create a “Book-a-Bus” system. “We want to instill the same high level of confidence within our Public Transit System as we have with those who rely on the Handi-Bus system.” Fares for Public Transit will increase from $2.00 to $3.00 on October 1 st. It is the first fare increase in several years. Love said the public will soon see the value in the increase. For more information: Al Love, Battlefords Transit System, 445-7796 Mike Halstead, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, 445-1710
1 of 2 New Transit Buses
Transit Board Chair Grace Lang and Transit Manager Al Love
23 Seat Bus Interior
