More changes made to bus service after ridership drops ‘right off’

With so few residents taking public transit because of the coronavirus, city hall has decided to change when bus rides are offered and even implement a “dial-abus” service.

“Our ridership has dropped right off,” city manager Jim Puffalt said on March 27 during a news conference. “We’re coming practically to a point that it doesn’t make any sense to drive vacant, empty buses around the city.”

City administration has developed what it believes is a solid solution that would maintain service while still meeting residents’ needs, he continued.

As of March 30, all regular routes were revised and all regular hours have changed to 9:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. The dial-a-bus service is offered and filled based on availability between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. To support seniors and higher-risk residents, the transit department will take bookings to help these affected groups reach grocery stores — Safeway, Co-op, Superstore and Walmart — that have changed their hours specifically for these people.

Residents who need the dial-a-bus service are encouraged to call ahead of time since bookings will be filled on a firstcome, first-serve basis.

Puffalt praised the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant (BPWTP) for its work during the coronavirus, saying it has been “flying under the radar” as it continues to provide services. He learned from the plant’s general manager that many operators are still working, physical distancing is in effect, and at least half of all employees work at one time. “To me, it was important that we communicate to the public and express our thanks to them. They are also absolutely an essential service. Without water, we can’t do a whole bunch,” Puffalt said. With no data was available, Puffalt was unsure if there had been an increase in residential water use since more people are at home and likely doing more washing and cleaning. However, he pointed out more waste collection has occurred since residents are homebound. There have also been conversations about increasing the frequency of weekly waste collection.

Puffalt confirmed that two municipal employees have been tested for COVID-19. One employee tested negative, while the other result had not been returned by March 27. These two employees do not interact with the public as part of their jobs.

One challenge employees face is maintaining their distance from each another, which means there are more vehicles on the job site, Puffalt said. The public has been understanding about these changes. Mayor Fraser Tolmie said during the news conference that he had no symptoms of the coronavirus and had not been tested. He was unsure if anyone on city council had been tested.

During the March 23 council meeting three councillors participated by video link. Even though they were not physically present, there was “absolutely” still quorum, said Tolmie. Councillors have called into meetings in the past by telephone, so the ability to participate has been enhanced with video. “We’ve had to adapt. This will probably be happening in our next meeting,” he added.

Health care is a provincial responsibility, so whenever the Saskatchewan Health Authority has announced new restrictions, those usually take about 24 hours to go into effect in Moose Jaw, said Tolmie. However, city administration is looking at ways to reduce that time so those edicts happen faster.

This includes the instruction that all playgrounds should be closed since it’s impossible to clean them. There will be signs put up telling people to stay away from those areas, said Puffalt. However, the community’s parks and walking trails are still open. Residents are encouraged to get outside for walks and activities, as long as two metres (six feet) of is maintained.