Merritt’s BC Transit system is proving its worth in the Nicola Valley.
At a committee of the whole meeting on Aug. 26, council heard from BC Transit regional manager Ryan Little, who provided them with the bus system’s annual performance summary.
He said Merritt’s bus system is one of the best performing systems for small towns operating with one to four buses.
The report stated the annual rides per hour for Merritt totals 12.9, which is one of BC Transit’s highest. The average for cities in Merritt’s tier is 6.9 rides per hour.
“You’re pretty close to double the average rides per hour we see in other small communities,” Little said.
Merritt also has the lowest cost per ride and one of the best cost recovery numbers.
In 2013-14, Merritt saw an increase in ridership but a decrease in revenue, Little said.
The numbers show Merritt’s total system ridership between 2012-13 and 2013-14 increased by 0.4 per cent thanks to a total ridership of 59,212 last year compared to 58,959 the year before year.
Revenues came up 3.8 per cent shorter than the previous year, accumulating slightly more than $54,000 in 2012-13, while 2013-14 brought in about $52,000.
“Ridership’s kind of a funny thing. It doesn’t match revenue like you’d expect all the time,” Little said.
That could indicate riders are switching from a cash fare to prepaid tickets, which offer a discount, the report stated.
The net cost of providing bus service increased this year by 32 per cent over 2012-13 — $100,015 in 2013-14 compared to $75,596 the previous year — because of the cost of replacing two buses.
Council sends ASK Wellness $500 for homeless count
City council approved providing ASK Wellness with $500 to help fund the society’s fifth annual homeless count in Merritt.
“I know ASK Wellness is funded by other groups as well, but I don’t think it’s ever a bad idea for the city to get involved,” Coun. Mike Goetz said at the regular council meeting on Aug. 26.
Goetz made the motion to give the society $500, which is being provided via the city’s grant-in-aid fund.
The homeless count aims to locate, support and educate those who are absolutely homeless, ASK Wellness’s Stacy Wormell stated in a letter to council.
Their statistics will be submitted to the provincial government and used as evidence to lobby the government in regards to housing issues, and the need for affordable housing and shelters in the Nicola Valley, the letter goes on to state.
ASK Wellness is also seeking donations of backpacks, hygiene products, food, clothing, grocery cards and bus tickets as well, which can be dropped off at 2151 Granite Ave. The count takes place Sept. 11.
Contract extended for waste removal
City council approved a contract extension on its sludge disposal agreement with the Sunshine Valley Good Earth Company while city staff look at other options.
The Sunshine Valley Good Earth Company is responsible for composting biosolids from the wastewater treatment plant.
The company was given a one-year contract extension to the end of August 2014. The owner has expressed the desire to discontinue his services, and while city staff look into alternatives, the company has agreed to extend the current contract to May 31, 2015.
The terms of the contract remain unchanged from the last one and the nine-month duration is to allow the city enough time to consider other options and make a recommendation to council.
City of Merritt financial services manager Ken Ostraat told council last Tuesday that it could be useful for the city to take over composting, but it’s ultimately a matter of cost-effectiveness.
Currently the city pays a little more than $18,000 plus taxes every month to compost its biosolids.
