By Mark Squibb/August 19, 2022
During last week’s public council meeting, the City was in receipt of an invoice of $51,438 from MVT Canadian Bus for bus services in June, including Go-Bus and paratransit routes.
In June, explained Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, the City paid for 110 paratransit trips, 380 GoBus trips, and 67 ‘no-shows.’
Those no-show charges caught the attention of councillor Isabelle Fry.
“So, we’re charged for no-shows?” asked Fry. “Seems like an awfully high number to me… I’m concerned for two reasons. First of all, I know a lot of times, when residents are looking to use the GoBus, there are some frustrations when the GoBus is more than an hour — or two, or three — late. So, if a resident wants to go to an appointment, they book a GoBus accordingly, and if the GoBus doesn’t show up in time, you miss your appointment or you find alternate arrangements. Is that considered a no-show at that point?”
Fry said her second concern was that the City was spending money on bus trips even if there was nobody onboard.
“This is something that we need to look further into,” said Fry, who added she believed the City of St. John’s was looking into that exact same matter already.
Mayor Dave Aker said he believed the number of no-shows hovered at around five percent.
“But I think it’s built into the contract that if the bus moves, somehow it has to be paid,” said Aker. “So, MVT gets reimbursed. But I take councillor Fry’s concerns. You know, you never like to see a bus being paid for by taxpayers’ money that’s going empty.”
Director of Corporate Services Cassie Pittman said the matter is under review, and any further information uncovered can be sent back to council for consideration.
In June, said Pittman, there were 41 paratransit no-shows and 26 Go-Bus no-shows.
