(Community Service Centre/Facebook)

By paNOW Staff

ACCESS TRANSIT

Weekend and evening paratransit services to end April 1

Mar 12, 2024 | 11:02 AM

Residents who use the paratransit service, Access Transit, in Prince Albert have only days before parts of that service are cut.

The Community Service Centre (CSC) has announced evening and weekend service will end as of April 1.

The CSC has previously said the cuts would happen due to a lack of funding resulting from high inflation and the rise in gas prices. The centre said it needs an additional $103,000 more for this calendar year.

The city has stated in response that it needs a contract to administer the nearly $1 million the city has allocated for the CSC.

In January, the city said it worked with the centre to negotiate a contract for 2024/2025 and were motivated to finalize the deal before budget deliberations, which was met with higher counteroffers from the CSC concerning staff wages and additional backpay for 2022/2023. The city said the timeline for finalizing the contract agreements lapsed without a resolution.

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As part of the money earmarked for paratransit service, $122,640 would be for fleet maintenance, $122,300 from city-funding surplus in previous years, $69,500 from senior transportation operations, and $108,400 for the purchase of a new paratransit bus.

The city has also stated the CSC’s budget submission showed a decrease of $37,000 for fuel costs.

In a press release, the CSC said they recently met with the City of Prince Albert and found out there was no money in the 2024 budget for the increased funding they are asking for.

“Our CEO – Mr. Bill Powalinsky, has kept the Board of Directors informed of every operational decision and is fully supported by the Board of Directors” stated Shelley Gordon, Vice Chair for the CSC.

Since news of the possible cuts came to light, a petition has been making the rounds in the city with Powalinsky saying more than 2,500 people have signed the petition in person or online. He said the petition’s purpose is to get the mayor and council to talk in a public forum on the paratransit service.

“We can’t force council to change their decision, but I think we could certainly influence council,” he said. “Many of our passengers and caregivers are really afraid that it might come to this and unfortunately the issue is sort of being deflected and we need to stay focused on what the real issue is and it’s to make sure there’s adequate funding.”

“It’s not about personalities or politics” added Powalinsky, “It’s about doing the right thing for the right reasons at the right time”.

Powalinsky also pointed out that the Community Service Centre has been pushing for a multi-year agreement for years now and agrees with the City that an agreement must be reached.

“It’s not too late for a win-win,” he said, “For the City and its residents with disability.”

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panews@pattisonmedia.com