A proposal to expand late-night bus service in Edmonton prompted a debate over transit priorities among Edmonton city councillors on Wednesday.

A report prepared for the transportation committee discusses a three-phase plan aimed at expanding late-night transit service in Edmonton. If approved, a 16-month pilot of the first phase could begin in September 2013.

But city councillors are wondering whether the nearly $1.7 million price tag might better be spent elsewhere.

"I don’t believe this is a priority," said Mayor Stephen Mandel today. "Late night bus service is important to people, no question, but there are other priorities."

According to Coun. Amarjeet Sohi, these priorities include addressing overcrowding, minimizing delays, implementing peak service where needed and extending transit routes into neighbourhoods without service.

"There's a real issue of trying to deliver as good a transit system as we can within an affordable range for the taxpayers," said Mandel, adding that city transit already costs taxpayers $180 million annually.

"I’m not sure we have the budgetary capacity at this point in time to expand that service."

Sohi agrees that more consideration is needed before any decisions are made.

"There wasn’t enough support at the committee to move ahead with the late night service," said Sohi. "What we are asking is that [city administration] come back to city council ... and prioritize what their needs are."

If approved, the proposed three-phase late-night expansion project could eventually add 11 bus routes along major traffic corridors — both in the city core and outlying industrial and residential areas.

It is primarily intended to make commutes easier for late-night shift workers — especially those employed within the industrial and healthcare sector.

City administration will return to council in April to present an updated list of transit priorities.