Happy Valley-goose Bay looking at public transit

Central Labrador town seeks public feedback

The Town of Happy Valleygoose Bay, two separate communities not that long ago, grew in a very decentralized way.

Things like grocery stores, food establishments, government offices and other dayto-day necessities are spread out all over the central Labrador town. It can make life as a pedestrian difficult and is one reason the town is looking at the possibility of public transit.

The town is doing a feasibility study on public transit and is looking for feedback from the public.

Brenna Jarrar, director of community development and research with the town, said the topic has been discussed a lot in the past year and it’s recognized there are many people in the community without vehicles.

“It’s a matter of equity, accessibility, what kind of community we want to be,” she said. “I think transit is something that’s a pillar of fair, open places to live.”

Jarrar said prior to the study being launched she spoke with people in other similarly sized towns in other provinces who have a public transit system, as well as Corner Brook and St. John’s, the only communities in Newfoundland and Labrador that offer public transit. It quickly became clear it would be a complex project, so the town got funding for the first step, a feasibility study.

The town has partnered with the Dalhousie Transportation Collaboratory at Dalhousie University on the project, and recently launched a public-transit survey. Jarrar said the survey is an important part of the process and the town hopes to get a lot of feedback from the public.

CHALLENGES

Jarrar said the study will look at things like the cost of a public-transit system, what it would look like and all the technical aspects of the plan. The price tag will be an obstacle, she said, especially for a municipality the size of Happy Valley-goose Bay. Costs to get the system up and running could be substantial, but Jarrar said operational costs year over year could be the biggest challenge. Transit is expensive to operate, she said, but there are benefits.

“We know when you invest in public infrastructure and public goods with the spillover effect you get back a few dollars for every dollar you spend,” Jarrar said.

“While it’s not a moneymaking endeavor, it would likely pay dividends in how much more accessible the community would be, how much easier it would be to get around.”

SYSTEM WOULD BE WELL-USED: ADVOCATE

Accessibility issues for pedestrians isn’t a new topic in the town, and to help with the issue for people age 50 and older, the Labrador Friendship Centre operates a van that takes the elderly places they need to go.

Jennifer Hefler-elson, executive director of the centre, said they looked at operating a transit service for all residents in the past, but didn’t have the funding to make it happen. She said she is happy the town is looking at public transit, and believes it would be well used.

“I think it would go over really well,” Hefler-elson said. “People use our service to get to the stores, to visit friends, go to the hospital. I think it would be great to have public transit here.”

Hefler-elson said over the years she’s seen the town grow, and the need for a transit system expand.

Jarrar said the town also plans to explore the idea of regional transportation, specifically with North West River and Sheshatshiu.

“It’s hard to think of Happy Valley-goose Bay as an island. We’re connected to our neighbours in North West River and Sheshatshiu. We’re all part of the same network and rely on one another,” she said. “It’s important to ensure that people have reliable, safe access back and forth. People are coming here every single day.”

The town also plans to hold public consultation sessions, with the first held on July 15. Jarrar said the plan is to do another in August and one in September.