STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
By Curtis Galbraith
City Hall

School bus safety, free transit for young people also discussed at council

Apr 4, 2023 | 6:00 AM

Grande Prairie City Council met on Monday. Some highlights from the meeting include:

School bus safety

Council has asked administration to talk with the school divisions about ways to improve school bus safety in the city and to report back to the committee level.

A delegation went to council to talk about this:

  • They told council they became concerned when they watched his kids get off the bus and the bus did not have its stop arm out and did not have its four-way flashers or amber lights on.
  • They says they contacted the school divisions and bus operators about what was going on wand was told a city bylaw that did not allow the use their activated lights inside city limits.

Councillor Gladys Blackmore says it seems illogical that school buses come equipped with these safety features, but the city has decided they are not necessary.

A bylaw change in March 2016 said lights could be used when the speed limit on the road the bus is on is 80 km/h or higher or where there is no curb and gutter along the side of the road while loading or unloading passengers.

Some councillors asked to see a copy of the bylaw; administration says it is part of the city’s traffic by-law.

Transit for young people

Council has approval giving free transit to young people aged 6 to 17.

Councillor Dylan Bressey says this will help youth get around safely and is hoping this leads to them becoming life-long transit users.

The cost for this year would be $90,000.

Administration says cost savings should cover this, but reserve funds could also be used.

It is not yet known when this will come into effect but could be in place by this summer or fall.

Bylaw changes and consultations with the school divisions have to happen first.

by Curtis Galbraith