A minimum of a $116,300 shortfall in the budget of Cochrane On-Demand Local Transit (COLT) has been forecasted and could be higher should a short-term renewal be signed with Southland Transportation to maintain the additional 21.5 weekday hours of service until the end of the year.
During its committee-of-the-whole meeting last night, council was told the shortfall could total $203,000 should council agree to the extension of an agreement that's been in effect since January 2023.
The cost would come in 20 per cent higher than the approved budget of just over $1 million.
The additional hours were added to provide commuters using the On-It regional service access from their homes to the station. Southland Transportations had recommended the additional service hours and have been covering the extra cost until the end of September 2024.
COLT was underbudgeted by $91,300 and there's $25,000 for fuel surcharges that were missed in 2024 invoicing. The extension will cost $86,700.
In a report presented by Michelle Delorme, Community services manager, town administration blamed the underbudgeting on the previous administration, something that didn't sit well with Councillor Marni Fedeyko.
"I am currently bothered that we are once again seeking to blame our challenges on past employees or departments," said Fedeyko. "Council has been expressing a desire to understand the cost and challenges of COLT since 2023."
Alex Reed said reports received by council the last two years have focused on ridership, not the financial stability of the service.
"I'm in support of public transit, but not at any cost and it can't be a money pit that we just keep dumping money into in relation to other priorities. One of the goals identified was financial stability right from the beginning, but none of the reports have spoken to that or identified that goal."
He says he's concerned the town is starting to tax people to death.
"I know of a few families who've left Cochrane or are leaving Cochrane and moving to southern Alberta. One might say greener pastures, but I think financially, it's a much more viable opportunity for them."
Councillor Susan Flowers says we need more transit, not less, and judging by growth, she says Cochrane remains a popular place to call home.
"I think we need to increase this bus service. We've heard from the people in the community for the last three years that it's not enough. They can't get the bus when they need it. We need to change it. Our taxes are amongst the lowest in the region."
She says the town hasn't been putting enough money into transit and can't image cutting back on hours of service.
More public engagement is about to be launched on COLT, the results of which will be presenting to council on Oct. 7. The town is in the midst of a major study to improve the service.
Town administration states it intends to bring a recommendation forward to maintain the hours that will provide the community with a total of 64 vehicle hours per day. It says the additional hours significantly improved commuter services.
In 2023, COLT served 64,000 riders and as of mid-August has provided service to 49,000 this year.
Council will be formally debating the question at its Sept. 23 meeting.