[Dion]

Elimination of fee won't means cuts to LRT security

Nenshi said there should never have been a connection drawn between fee revenue and security and maintenance on the LRT.

"It was a completely artificial link," Nenshi said Thursday. "It was never true. Every dollar that we raise from any place goes into general revenue and every dollar that we spend comes out of general revenue."

Even though the fee was scrapped, transit will actually get 12 more peace officers next year after council approved the 2011 city budget on Thursday. That brings the full complement of transit officers to 73.

Cut from the budget, however, were 17 transit cleaning positions that had been approved for 2011.

In October, the LRT park-and-ride lots were only at 65 per cent capacity. Still, it was a jump from the year before; then they sat at 59 per cent.

A city spokesman couldn't say how much it cost to buy and install the ParkPlus machines, but said those not needed would be sold back to the Calgary Parking Authority at a depreciated value.

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