In their final meeting of 2025, Dawson Creek city council looked ahead to next year’s budget, reviewing a first draft that included fee adjustments and renewals for city-run services, including transit.
The city of Dawson Creek’s commitment to provide the Step Up “N” Ride Society with “permanent annual funding of $165,000, to be funded within the 2026 budget as presented.
In exchange, the transit service will continue operating at its current capacity. Since last year’s budget, the non-provincially-ran transit system purchased a new bus and hired one driver, allowing it to expand services.
This year, the city made a $28,000 commitment to the society, along with a $156,000 bonus. That total amount is now proposed as the standard annual funding for the B.C. Transit alternative.
“(The contract) includes accountability and value for tax payers, defined deliverables, and performance standards,” according to the staff’s report. When pressed by city councillor Jerimy Earl, city employees could not elaborate on what method will be used by the service to hold it accountable.
Earl ultimately voted against this recommendation, telling staff he requires more information.
Council members expressed frustrations with the provincial bus service and had previously discussed ending the partnership. However, they deferred a final decision at the meeting, hoping to receive an update from B.C. Transit in early January ahead of their next budget session.
The city clarified that Step Up “N” Ride is not a perfect replacement, as some services offered by one provider are not offered by the other.
As budget deliberations continue, the council will be required to hear public feedback on it, including its transportation plan. A second draft will be presented to the city council on January 28, with the review and acceptance scheduled for March.
