City administration had planned to replace one of its paratransit bus units with a new machine this year, but costs for a new vehicle are nearly $40,000 higher than expected.
City council approved the replacement of paratransit unit No. 31 in the 2022 equipment reserve account for $120,000. Funding was $65,000 from accumulated depreciation in the reserve account and $55,000 from the provincial government’s Transit Assistance for People with Disabilities (TAPD) capital funding 2021-22 program.
However, this amount proved insufficient, and city hall requires an additional $39,371 to replace the vehicle at a total cost of $159,371.
During its Feb. 28 regular meeting, city council unanimously approved the replacement cost for the paratransit bus of $159,371, with the additional funding from the transit major equipment control account.
The department of public works and utilities had issued a tender for replacing the 2011 paratransit bus unit No. 31, but the lowest qualified bid submitted was $150,350, plus $9,021 in PST, for a total of $159,371, explained department director Darrin Stephanson.
“Correspondence with suppliers has indicated that passenger vehicles in this category have escalated in price by $35,000 over the last year and a half due to supply chain issues created by the pandemic,” he remarked.
ParaTransit runs four buses daily during the work week based on demand, but the fleet only has one unit in reserve, which is why the machines must be in good working order to avoid disruption for customers, Stephanson added. Much of this service revolves around customers’ medical needs and taking them to the hospital for scheduled appointments such as dialysis.
Customers can book a seat on the paratransit bus either online or by calling city hall, depending upon their comfort level with technology, Stephanson told council. However, that software system is scheduled to be replaced this year since city hall is having trouble with it.
Money for the software replacement will come from the capital equipment account.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, March 14.
