Residents and labour leaders rally outside North Battleford City Hall on May 26, 2025, to protest cuts to the city’s public transit system. The demonstration was organized by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 615 after the city eliminated one of two bus routes and laid off half the transit workforce. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

BATTLEFORDS TRANSIT SYSTEM

Union-led rally challenges North Battleford transit cuts

May 26, 2025 | 4:08 PM

A union-led rally outside city hall drew dozens of North Battleford residents Monday, protesting recent cuts to the city’s public transit system that they say have left them stranded and struggling to afford basic transportation.

The demonstration was organized by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 615 after the city slashed its transit service in March — eliminating one of two routes, reducing service hours, and laying off half the workforce. The changes took effect May 1, shortly after transit workers voted to unionize.

“It’s in direct retaliation for us organizing a union,” said ATU Local 615 president Darcy Pederson. “We tried organizing in 2021 into 2022 and the city fought and had a very expensive legal battle with the union, and it ended up in a tie. And here we are again, fighting unfair labour practices and transit cuts that directly happen immediately after we organize them.”

According to Pederson, six of 11 workers were laid off shortly after the union was certified.

In a statement issued after the cuts, Coun. Greg Lightfoot, chair of the Battlefords Transit System (BTS), denied any link between unionization and the decision. He said the changes were based on rising costs and low ridership.

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During 2025 budget deliberations in January, council directed the BTS board to find cost savings, citing a per-rider subsidy of roughly $16 — nearly four times the cost of a fare.

Council later approved a single-route system and set the 2025 transit grant at $178,079. City manager Randy Patrick called the subsidy “quite expensive,” and Lightfoot said a lack of provincial and federal funding makes it difficult for small municipalities like North Battleford to maintain full service.

The city has continued funding for the Battlefords Handi-Bus — which serves residents with mobility needs — and invested in a new bus in 2024 as part of its long-term capital plan.

Many regular public transit users call it a lifeline.

Kendra Leverton talks to battlefordsNOW during a transit rally outside North Battleford City Hall on May 26, 2025. Leverton, a daily transit user for eight years, says recent service cuts have made it harder for seniors and low-income residents to get around. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW Staff)

Kendra Leverton, who has relied on the system five days a week for eight years, called the cuts ‘very, very difficult.’

“Now it’s down to one, and it’s hard for seniors and transportation people just like us to get around,” she said. “A cab is $4 just to get in, so you’re paying 20 there, 20 back. That is just way too much money.”

Abby Medd, whose husband Alan was among the drivers laid off, said the decision has left their family in ‘agony.’

“My husband is only receiving CPP [Canada Pension Plan]… so we still survive,” she shared.

As a newcomer working night shifts at Walmart who doesn’t yet have her licence, Medd said she depends on affordable public transit.

“We are all immigrants here, working, receiving wages from the company by the minimum wage,” she said. “As if they are punishing us by cutting the transit. It’s not fair to us.”

“That transit really helps us immigrants from all walks of life.”

(Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

In a statement Monday, the city said it ‘respects the rights of all citizens to take part in a peaceful protest.’

Also, two delegations are scheduled to speak about the issue at tonight ’s council meeting at Don Ross Centre chamber.

“Council looks forward to hearing the comments of those delegations in a public forum,” the statement read.

Labour leaders from across the province also attended the rally to show support. Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan, and Lori Johb, president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, joined residents in calling on the city to reverse the cuts and restore full service.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com