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BREAKING: Edmonton city council votes no on regional transit

With budget deliberations running late into the evening on Wednesday night, Edmonton's city council has voted not to pay their $10.3 million requisition for regional transit next year.
2808 bus file DR044

With budget deliberations running late into the evening on Wednesday night, Edmonton's city council has voted not to pay their $10.3 million requisition for regional transit next year.

With a 5-8 vote, with only councillors Tim Cartmell, Sarah Hamilton, Karen Principe, Jennifer Rice, and Andrew Knack (Edmonton's representative on the commission's board) in favour, the future of the Edmonton Metropolitan Regional Transit Commission (EMTSC) in immediate jeopardy. 

The Gazette previously reported that St. Albert city council would be debating their future with the commission next month after Coun. Sheena Hughes, concerned over the cost of St. Albert's participation and benefits, submitted a motion on Dec. 6 seeking to initiate steps towards dissolving the Comission entirely. 

Edmonton's vote may render St. Albert's debate unnecessary as without funding from Edmonton, the biggest shareholder, the commission may not have enough funding to operate next year. 

The EMTSC had planned to begin operations on April 30. 

The Thursday, Dec. 22 print edition of The Gazette will have more details about the future of the EMTSC, as well as reactions from St. Albert city councillors.

Related links

 "Forced us to pivot": regional transit efficiencies lessened by Edmonton's partial buy-in

Council frustrated with regional transit costs


Jack Farrell

About the Author: Jack Farrell

Jack Farrell joined the St. Albert Gazette in May, 2022.
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