Before moving to a universal per-kilometre rental fee system for the town's community bus, Bowden council wants a mechanic to inspect the vehicle to make sure it is running as efficiently as possible when it comes to fuel consumption.
At its March 11 meeting, council looked at the idea of switching from a flat rate fee for community bus rentals for major destination events in Red Deer, Airdrie, Rocky Mountain House, Calgary and Edmonton to a fee of 53 cents per kilometre.
Currently, the flat rate rental fee, including GST, for trips to those communities is $60 for Red Deer, $250 for Airdrie or Rocky Mountain House, $300 for Calgary and $400 for Edmonton.
Other destinations are billed at the 53-cents-per-kilometre fee plus incidental costs.
The bus is available to non-profit organizations and other community groups.
Under the proposed per-kilometre rates, most trips would cost less than the flat rates with the roughly 105-kilometre round trip to Red Deer costing $55.71, while a 241-kilometre trip to Calgary would cost $127.77 and a 463-kilometre trip to Edmonton would cost $245.88.
Bus trips to Olds and Innisfail would remain at a fixed rate of $5.
After Mayor Robb Stuart said he discovered the bus's mileage to be roughly 4.9 kilometres per litre after a recent trip to Red Deer with the Boys and Girls Club, however, Coun. Cory Jasper expressed dismay at the vehicle's poor fuel efficiency.
"It's wasting fuel somewhere,î he said and suggested the town send the 10-year-old bus to Caltech Diesel in Olds to have the vehicle inspected.
Council ultimately directed town staff to have someone look at the bus regarding the fuel efficiency issues.
In an email on March 14, Weiss said the bus is going in for its yearly inspection at Ty-Cal Inspection Services Inc. on March 19.
Once those issues are addressed, the new fee system would again be tabled for consideration.
Jasper said the town wouldn't break even at the 53-cent-per-kilometre fee, but that rate is on par with travel rates for government vehicles and Andy Weiss, the town's chief administrative officer said the bus is not meant to be a money-making venture for the town.
The possibility of looking at a higher, more cost-effective per-kilometre rate was also floated at the meeting.
But Coun. Wayne Milaney said it's important for council to remember that Bowden residents don't have access to local shopping services and if council wants the community to grow, the town needs to offer affordable transportation services.
