Tsuut’ina Nation seeks transit services to new Taza development

Article content

The Tsuut’ina Nation has formally asked Calgary to extend its bus service to the new Taza development.

Article content

The city’s intergovernmental affairs board said the Tuinabando Council approved last month that the National Public Works and Taza Development Authority will begin talks with Calgary Transit to develop a route to the Taza development site in Tuina. I heard you did.

Article content

Taza is a 1,200-acre, $11 billion development already underway that will include Costco and other Buffalo Run retailers. When completed, the land in Tuina, adjacent to Calgary, will have shops, restaurants and office space.

This is not the first request to provide transit services to communities outside of Calgary, as the Max Purple BRT runs several times daily to Chestermere. Chestermere has already expressed interest in expanding the service.

Article content

Under that arrangement, the cost of the service is fully covered by freight and the City of Chestermere, so there is no additional burden on Calgary taxpayers.

But while that service was an extension of an existing route, deciding how and where to direct the service to Taza’s development could be difficult.

Chris Jordan, manager of transit service design for Calgary Transit, said stakeholders have preliminary ideas about how connections will be made and existing routes, but that further discussion with the community will be required. .

Earl. Richard Pootmans said the project could be an important and valuable part of building relationships with the country.

An executive directive motion to initiate negotiations with the public was passed unanimously at the commission level. Must be approved by the full council at a future meeting.

The Secretariat was instructed to report to Congress by the end of next year.

brthomas@postmedia.com
twitter: @brodie_thomas