A report from Elliot Lake's Director of Public Works Works Daryl Halloch coming to the next City Council meeting next week recommends upgrades to Elliot Lake Transit service.
They include extending regular scheduled hours of service on Thursday and Friday to 9 p.m., and the startup of Sunday service beginning in December.
Halloch's report also recommends installation of a bus stop on Horne Walk where it meets Charles Walk in the lower plaza and the setup of the application “Where’s my bus?” for Elliot Lake residents to see when busses will arrive near them, starting in the New Year.
In his report to Council, Halloch wrote, "City staff is requesting the startup of Sunday transit service from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. allowing the residents of Elliot Lake more opportunity to support the local businesses that have been struggling since the pandemic hit."
As for the the location of a new lower Plaza bus stop, Halloch said, "city staff determined the best area to install a new stop would be on Horne Walk where it meets up with Charles Walk."
"There is less traffic to avoid in this area which is a centralized location in the lower plaza. If council approves, staff can start by installing a transit sign.
A future decision can be made regarding the installation of a bus shelter, if warranted."
"Currently the City has been offering free transit service to all passengers (relating to the COVID-19 pandemic prorocols).
"When totaling the loss of revenue, cleaning supplies, PPE, installation of plexiglass and extra hours paid to staff for both administration and cleaning, the City came up with a total of $102.000 from April 2020 to September of 2020.
"This entire cost was covered by a COVID relief fund that was offered by the provincial government, which also asked staff to provide information on forecast losses until March of 2021, which has been supplied to them.
"When it comes to running a 12-hour Sunday service, the costs to the City would include two conventional buses and drivers - $70/hour. One specialty bus at $40/hour, an extra three hours of cleaning at $19/hour, plus the fuel consumed over the eight-hour day which is estimated to be a total of 170 litres for all three busses.
"Total daily cost is $1,107 or $57,500 annually, which would have to be budgeted in the 2021 operational budget.
He concluded that there would be very little cost involved in installing a bus stop sign. As well, the City is already paying annually for the GOGPS system that includes “Where’s my bus?” Application.
Council will look at Halloch's suggested public transit enhancements at its next regular meeting Monday night at 7 p.m.
The virtual council session will be live streamed on the city's website.