A10 www.trailtimes.ca
Friday, September 13, 2013 Trail Times
Regional
RDCK directors question value of transit service in Creston By Lorne Eckersley Creston Advance
While ridership on the regular BC Transit bus has increased since changes in the service were made last year, local Regional District of Central Kootenay directors say it isn’t worth the cost.
“It is not providing the service levels to make it sustainable,” Area B director John Kettle said at a local services committee meeting on Sept. 4. “It isn’t close to giving value to taxpayers.” Kettle was responding to a presentation by BC Transit region-
al manager Kevin Schubert, who presented figures showing that riders pay for less than 10 per cent of the cost of the service. “A new flexible service (one that allows drivers to deviate from the route and take calls for pick-
up) has seen positive results, particularly in the latter part of the year,” Schubert reported. “The service change included the introduction of ondemand zones, which eliminated unnecessary deviations where no ridership existed provided for better
utilization of service hours for regional and community shuttle service.” The on-demand service replaced one that simply had a bus run on a defined route, regardless of whether it was being used. While Schubert
said BC Transit expects it to take three years for a change in system to take hold, recent ridership “indicates a positive trend.” That might not be enough to save it, though. “The BC Transit service never serves people in outlying
APPENDIX B to Order G-141-13
PUBLIC NOTICE
WORKSHOP & PRE-HEARING CONFERENCE BRITISH COLUMBIA UTILITIES COMMISSION
INSURANCE CORPORATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AN APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE REVENUE REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIVERSAL COMPULSORY AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE FOR THE POLICY YEAR COMMENCING NOVEMBER 1, 2013 AND FOR APPROVAL OF A NEW BASIC INSURANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT PLAN On August 30, 2013, ICBC filed a Revenue Requirements Application for Universal Compulsory Automobile (Basic) Insurance seeking a 4.9 percent increase in Basic Insurance rates on an interim and permanent basis for all new and renewal Plate Owner Basic and Fleet Reporting Policies with an effective date on or after November 1, 2013. For the balance of Basic Insurance policies, ICBC also seeks a 4.9 percent permanent increase for those policies that have an effective date on or after the first day of the first month that is at least 60 days following the Commission’s final decision on ICBC’s Application. ICBC’s Application also seeks Commission approval of its new Basic Insurance Capital Management Plan. The Commission by Order G-141-13 has approved the requested 4.9 percent interim refundable rate increase for implementation with an effective date on or after November 1, 2013 for all new and renewal Plate Owner Basic and Fleet Reporting Policies. The disposition of any variances between the approved interim rate and the approved permanent rate to be refunded or collected from customers will be addressed in the Commission’s final decision on the Application. The Commission is initiating a review of ICBC’s Application. To view the timetable for this hearing and the Application go to www.bcuc.com select “Current Applications” under “Quick Links” and scroll to “ICBC 2013 Revenue Requirements”.
Date: Time:
Workshop ICBC will explain the Application and answer questions.
Pre-hearing Conference The Commission will consider the process to review the Application.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013 9:00 a.m.
Location:
Commission Hearing Room 12th Floor, 1125 Howe Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K8
HOW TO GET INVOLVED If you wish to participate actively in the review process, you may register as an Intervener or as an Interested Party with the Commission in writing by Friday, September 20, 2013 with the Commission Secretary, using the contact information at the end of this notice. Interveners should identify the issues they intend to pursue as well as the nature and extent of their anticipated involvement in the review process indicating whether they plan to attend the Pre-Hearing Conference. Interveners will receive email notice of all correspondence and filed documents. An e-mail address should be provided if available. Persons not expecting to actively participate, but who have an interest in the proceeding, should register as Interested Parties with the Commission in writing, by Friday, September 20, 2013 identifying their interest in the Application. Interested Parties will receive a copy of the Commission’s Decision when issued. All submissions and/or correspondence received from active participants or the public relating to the Application will be placed on the public record and posted to the Commission’s website. If you wish to attend the public Workshop or the Pre-hearing Conference please register with the Commission Secretary using the contact information provided at the end of this notice.
HOW TO REGISTER You may apply to register to the Commission Secretary by email, electronic submission on the Commission’s website, by fax, or by mail using the Commission contact information provided below. For more information, please visit www.bcuc.com or contact the Commission Secretary at Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com.
VIEW THE DOCUMENTS The Application and all supporting documentation are available on the Commission’s website under “Current Applications” and at the locations below: British Columbia Utilities Commission Sixth Floor, 900 Howe Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 2N3 Phone: 604-660-4700 Toll Free: 1-800-663-1385 www.bcuc.com
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia Head Office – 151 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC Kelowna – 1720 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC Prince George – 4001 - 15th Avenue, Prince George, BC www.icbc.com
areas and now, because of the DriveAble program, people are being forced to drive even when they lose their licence,” Kettle said. “If this was a business it would have failed in the first year. It would be cheaper for those 20 users (the number of regular riders) to be put in a cab than to continue with this model.” He pointed out that directors are happy with the HandyDart (which picks up riders on request) and medical shuttle to Cranbrook, “although I don’t know how well it would be used if it didn’t stop at WalMart.” While directors agreed that the current contractor provides excellent service to riders, the service doesn’t provide good value for the tax dollars spent. “Are you opposed to us finding someone that can run a more flexible service?” Area C director Larry Binks asked. “You have one of the cheapest operators in the province and excellent service,” Schubert replied. “Some communities are doing their own service, but not through BC Transit funding.” “Could a society step forward to run this?” Binks asked. “The answer is no,” Schubert said. Schubert said that BC Transit requires that all contracts go out to public bid for renewal, and that the current operator is in the midst of a sevenyear contract. Area A director Garry Jackman said that the aging population on the East Shore of Kootenay Lake is creating a demand for a scheduled bus service, something not offered at this time. “Can we opt out of this service and use our funding to create our own service with our 40 per cent contribution of tax dollars?” Kettle asked. “With 90 days notice,” Schubert said. The BC Transit community shuttle averages 11 riders per 5.5-hour day at a cost per rider of $16.90.