Union asks for snow tires on buses

Calgary buses should be equipped with winter tires, says the head of the transit union.

Buses have just as much trouble on icy Calgary streets during this cold snap as everybody else and snow tires might help them get a better grip on the situation, said Mike Mahar, local president for the Amalgamated Transit Union.

"Unfortunately with a bus they're so heavy," he said. "When the road ices up the bus will slide into the curb they just don't handle like a lighter vehicle so there needs to be extra preventative measures taken."

Passenger Mike Williams, who rides the bus daily, likes the idea of snow tires.

"When we got hit last week really bad [with snow] there were a lot of buses in the ditch and maybe snow tires could help. You never know, it can't hurt to try," he said.

But the roadblock is cost. Calgary has 870 transit buses and one winter tire can cost between $150 and $500.

Ald. Ray Jones is not supportive of the idea, saying the city just can't afford the tires or the extra expenses.

"Plus the time, plus the manpower and what would you do with all the other tires coming off? Would you simply put them in storage?

He said he plans to bring forward other ideas at Monday's city council meeting to deal with Calgary's snowy streets