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Council approves phased transit fare increases
Kimberley City Council Report
By Nowell Berg
On February 9, City of Kimberley council held its regular bi-monthly meeting.
Councillors Sue Cairns, Kevin Dunnebacke, Diana Fox, Woody Maguire, Jason McBain and Sandra Roberts were present along with Mayor Don McCormick.
An archive of the meeting can be viewed on the City of Kimberley YouTube channel. Watch it here.
BC Transit Presentation and Update
Daynika White, Government Relations Manager and Midhat Malik, Business Development Advisor from BC Transit, updated council on a review of Kimberley Transit (KT) fares.
White said, “Public transit is a highly subsidized service.” She noted that KT is a blend of regular transit and handyDART service. The provincial share of KT costs is 61.69%, which means the city covers 38.1% and retains all of the revenue generated.
Malik presented to council the results from a fare review process. She began by outlining three things the city could do. First, is to “align [fares] closer toward inflation.” Second, “Look at other opportunities to boost ridership.” Third, “consider the introduction on a new pass, a monthly pass.”
The last time a KT fair review was conducted was in 2013. Malik showed council a comparison of KT fares with those from other similar transit systems around B.C. The KT single ride fare of $3 is the lowest “compared to the others which are between $4 and $7.50.”
Malik said, “We are seeing as the years go by, transit costs continue to rise mainly because of inflation, additional costs for maintenance and parts.”
Given that, she presented council with four fare options. First, no fare changes. Second, a small $0.50 per ride increase for 2026. Third, a $1 per ride increase for 2026. This option aligns with inflationary increases.
The fourth option would be a phased approach that would see a $0.50 increase for 2026 and another $0.50 increase for 2028. All options would see the addition of a monthly pass that would start at $80 in 2026 and rise to $92 in 2028.
Malik told council that any changes to fares require a 12-week notice period which means that any possible changes would not take effect until June 2026.
Coun. McBain said, “Having the monthly pass option, I gotta think, would be very welcome.” He suggested the monthly pass could very well increase ridership. His view was corroborated by White who said that past experience shows “monthly passes do increase ridership.”
Coun. Cairns said, “I’m hearing a lot from people about transit and not any concerns about cost.” She supported implementing a monthly pass option. She added, “Seniors, students, young families and commuters all are expressing that they are very under-served.”
Responding to Mayor McCormick’s comment about the Kimberley-Cranbrook commuter route and the concern that with only two morning and two late afternoon trips there is the possibility that a rider would not be able to return from Cranbrook due to a full bus, White acknowledged “the fear” that people have about not getting home, but she said, “No one has ever been left behind.” She went on to say that the rider may have to stand but the bus operator “will not leave anyone behind.”
Coun. Dunnebake suggested there is “a huge missed revenue opportunity” by not linking local businesses to BC Transit. He suggested that buses could display local business advertising to help drive revenue and possibly keep fares at their current rates.
In his comments, Troy Pollack, Manager of Planning and Sustainability, said, “We know that many customers have been requesting the monthly pass option.” Noting the significant time since the last fare increase, he added, “There is definitely some merit in increasing those fares.” He told Council that staff recommend the fourth option, saying it would “soften the blow by phasing in the increase over a two-year period.”
Council unanimously voted in favour of the phased price increases and adding the monthly pass.
Travel Grant Approved
Council approved a $500 travel grant to the Kimberley Curling Club’s ‘Team Reynolds’. The team is already at the U18 National Curling Championships in Timmins, Ontario.
After four games, Team Reynolds has two wins and two loses. At the time of this writing, they are tied for fourth in Pool C with Saskatchewan #1.
On Wednesday, 11 February, they are scheduled to go up against Saskatchewan #1. Their final game on 12 February will play the Alberta #2 team.
Corporate Strategic Plan Update
Chief administrative officer Jim Hendricks provided a high-level overview of the city’s corporate strategic plan (2023 to 2026). He said the purpose of the update was “to inform people what’s going on.”
In December 2023, council identified six strategic priorities in the plan. They include: infrastructure renewal, financial accountability, environmental stewardship, inclusivity and civility, economic resilience and risk management.
Referring to a few key items, Hendricks pointed out the city has invested $22 million toward renewing infrastructure. Another $18 million has been allocated for 2026, which would bring the total to just over $40 million in the last three years.
The city has secured $75.6 million in grants up to 2025, of which $66 million is for the waste water treatment plant. Although not yet approved, the city has applied for another $5.7 million in grants for 2026.
The complete update is available on the city’s website under the February 9 agenda.
Kimberley city council assembles twice monthly starting at 7 p.m.
The next regular Council meeting: February 23.
City of Kimberley and e-KNOW file photos
e-KNOW
