A contract for service based on the same principles as our existing service agreement with Edmonton Transit is attached for Council’s consideration. While the Capital Region Board has completed a process of studying regional transit service opportunities, it is unlikely that anything will meaningfully change during the term of this agreement. That said, the contract does incorporate transitional terms if implementation of a new regional service model or changes in legislation that affects this service occur.
Highlights of the Contract:
The contract commences the beginning of September of this year and continues to the end of August 2010. This is intended to address the scheduling needs under Edmonton Transit’s collective agreement with their operators. The agreement may be terminated with 60 days notice by either party.
September will see a slight increase in service with the addition of another run during both the morning and afternoon service. The 7 runs each direction will occur over the same time period so that from a user standpoint, the frequency of service will increase. All of these changes have been made in response to user needs and an attempt to provide more seats for users to avoid standing passengers as much as possible.
The City of Spruce Grove is obligated to maintain all stops (this work has been incorporated into our operating budget since inception of the service in 2006).
The City of Spruce Grove is responsible to set all fares and produces all ticketing products independently from ETS. There is no change in monthly pass costs – they will still cost $125 – and still be distributed at the same sites (City Hall, the Spruce Grove Public Library and Mac’s Convenience Stores in Spruce Grove providing that business is still interested).
There have been some detail changes made to the draft contract, with the most significant listed as follows:
• Additional termination provisions in Clause 1.4. As Council is aware, Alberta Transportation regulations regarding transit operations have changed and are under further review. In this uncertain context, this clause sets out conditions under which Edmonton could terminate the contract if authority to operate is not granted by the province or if ETS cannot comply with the regulations as they affect inter municipal service.
• Service suspension provisions in Clause 1.5 ("force majeure"). The main purpose of this is to allow for suspension of service in the event of labour disputes. ETS has reached an agreement with the transit union covering 2009 and 2010, so it is extremely unlikely that this would be an issue during the term of this contract.
• Clause 2.1 includes comments that Edmonton cannot guarantee "strict" adherence to the schedules when there are traffic disruptions, accidents or mechanical issues that affect the service. In terms of the actual operation, there will be no changes, as ETS will continue to provide the service to the best of its ability in accordance with the contract.
• Fees - Clause 5 - The Vehicle Cost Charge (identified in Clause 5.1 of the previous contract) has been built into the daily rate (now part of Clause 5.2). Previously, this was expressed as a separate charge.
• Clause 5.7 is a reiteration of constraints created by new or future regulations that could affect service provision (for example, if regulations prohibit or limit standees, the service level provided for in this contract may not be sufficient to accommodate passenger demand).
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