District of Squamish staff are recommending that council defer the free summer weekend transit program to 2021.
Last year in May, council supported providing free summer weekend transit service from June to September with financial support from the Sea to Sky Gondola.
It was introduced to grow ridership and encourage the use of transit to recreational destinations, with funding support from the gondola.
However, due to COVID-19 and the recent reopening of the gondola, staff haven’t pursued a partnership agreement with the gondola this year.
In a report to council, staff say the free weekend transit service does not align well with the current situation as keeping COVID-19 transmissions low remains a priority.
“The ongoing importance of physical distancing indicates that this is not the right time to promote increased use of transit, particularly for recreation-oriented travel,” staff say.
However, if the council does wish to support the free service, it would cost approximately $6,750. Council will decide on the staff recommendation in a council meeting tomorrow.
Meanwhile, BC Transit and the district have decided to suspend the 5 South Parks route that took passengers from the Chieftain Centre to Shannon Falls and the Chief and gondola.
The route was supposed to be operational on June 15.
