By Patrick Book

Hurdles to Regina Transit providing service to Global Transportation Hub

Mar 29, 2011 | 7:24 AM

The Global Transportation Hub (GTH) is a major economic engine for Regina and the province, provided people can get there to work their shifts. At Monday night’s meeting, city council received a report on the possibility of the transit department providing bus service to the GTH. The warehousing and shipping container distribution yard west of the city is expected to generate millions, perhaps billions, of dollars in economic activity.

Earlier this month, two councilors asked for the report, hoping to find out if or when the city could start providing regular transit service to the site, where hundreds of employees work three shifts, running 24 hours a day. The administration report indicates that service isn’t really an option because transit doesn’t run on those hours, doesn’t work on holidays, and doesn’t have the capacity to make the trip during peak hours.

However, councilor and deputy mayor Michael O’Donnell insists something has to be set up to ensure employees aren’t left to drive every day.

“We don’t want to see more parking lots develop,” he explained after Monday’s meeting. “It is not feasible for us to go along and I think this is a true opportunity for partnership between the owners of the facility, the city, and the staff as well.”

The report states that the city proposed a charter-style service to the GTH last August. It was contingent on the GTH Authority footing 75 per cent of the bill, however, and the city hasn’t had a response back yet. O’Donnell insists talks are still continuing.

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Another item on Monday’s agenda saw council put up $150,000 for a special new playground project in the Al Ritchie area, east of the General Hospital. The money, along with another $150,000 raised by the Optimist Clubs of Regina, will be used to put up accessible playground equipment in Gocki Park.

O’Donnell believes it’s the perfect location for the community, near an elementary school and a special daycare.

“Hope’s Home is the only daycare centre for medically fragile children in all of North America. There are people who are staying and living in our community because their children are cared for.”

The area will also see the construction of a new library branch this year. That's assuming the city passes the public library budget next year. That document was tabled until the next council meeting. O'Donnell says Gocki Park will be the first accessible playground in the city, though he hopes to someday see one in every quadrant of Regina.

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