City of St. John's moving para-transit under operation of Metrobus

St. John's Deputy Mayor Ron Ellsworth says the city is planning to move its GoBus para-transit services under the operation of the St. John's Transit Commission.

• Metrobus becomes more accessible

Ellsworth said Metrobus is searching for a coordinator of para-transit services for Metrobus to improve day to day operations and help grow and develop transit in the city.

"Council decided some time ago to have the para-transit operations move in under the transportation commission … this is part of the commitment from the City of St. John's and council to continue to grow and develop our accessible transit," Ellsworth said.

"Most recently, I think we heard about the announcements of accessible busses and accessible routes that are taking place, and this is just another step forward to bring in transit under one umbrella."

Currently, the para-transit system is owned by the city and contracted out to the international company MVT Canadian Bus.

Ellsworth said that arrangement won't change, but administration of that contract will fall to the transportation commission and Metrobus.

The deputy mayor said users of GoBus won't see major differences, but he anticipates smoother operations when the change is made.

Ellsworth said he hopes to make the transition by the end of September to help to develop Metrobus and para-transit in tandem.

He said he would also like to see the taxi committee eventually move in under the transportation commission to consolidate all the city's transit services.