Taking an Edmonton transit bus to the Edmonton International Airport could become a reality this fall only if the airport authority pays for half the route, says a new city report.
The city’s transportation department will urge city council on Wednesday to approve an 18-month test service that will see buses running from the Century Park LRT station to the airport every 30 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Transit riders who want to use the service will pay $5 for a ride to the airport and they won’t be permitted to use regular bus tickets, passes or transfers on the route.
The service, however, will still need a subsidy of $982,000 for the test run since “there is a significant risk of low ridership levels,” the report says.
And the report estimates a revenue of $1 million.
The Edmonton Regional Airport Authority has said it would participate in funding the test, but further talks still need to take place.
“Funding is required to proceed with the trial service … following further discussions regarding cost-sharing arrangements,” the report says.
