Over $2,000 was spent last month to repair the Bowden community bus after the recent cold snap rendered it frozen.
Andy Weiss, chief administrative officer, told councillors during the January 23 meeting that the previous week's cold temperatures left the bus inoperable after the starter would no longer turn, several gaskets, turbo charging tubes and several other items did not work properly after the mercury dropped into the -20 C to -30 C range.
"For the week the bus has been out of commission, there have been some pretty disappointed citizens. I can tell you Ö that after these repairs have been conducted, (the bus will run better)," he said.
It was estimated the bus would take about nine hours to get repaired.
Coun. Wayne Milaney wondered aloud why the repairs were being brought to council instead of town staff unilaterally making the decision to go ahead and get the repairs done.
Mayor Robb Stuart said he brought the matter before council simply as a courtesy to let councillors know that the bus was in need of repair and to get council's authorization to go ahead with the work.
The City of Calgary donated the bus to the town in May 2011. The city also donated a second bus at the same time to use as spare parts. The buses were donated when the town approached the City of Calgary after hearing the city was retiring 10 buses in its fleet.
