Vernon is investigating how to promote alternate modes of transportation in the winter.
City staff will review the additional resources needed to increase priority snow clearing at bus stops and on high demand sidewalks.
“It’s just to look at the cost so in some future budget, you can understand the cost,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol.
In terms of bus stops, snow is currently removed after roads are done, but there is a concern that piles of snow deter people from actually using transit during storms.
“This would allow people to get downtown and not use their own vehicles,” said Nicol, adding that would help improve safety conditions on local streets.
Any improvement of snow clearing at bus stops would likely be contracted out.
Sidewalk plowing will also be investigated as a way of urging people to walk instead of driving.
“We will be looking for costs for sidewalks in key areas and in school areas,” said James Rice, public works manager.
Keeping with snow, city staff will provide downtown businesses with information on alternatives to sodium chloride for ice treatment.
There is a concern that road salt is negatively impacting beautification efforts.
“We’ve killed some of the very trees we’re trying to save by the way we’re piling things (snow),” said Nicol.
