City of Regina feeling impact of gas prices

It’s not just your wallet feeling the impact of soaring gas prices.

The City of Regina says if gas prices remain at their current level, it would cost the city an extra $4 million than previously budgeted.

That would result in a 55 per cent increase.

Mayor Sandra Masters says the city has implemented measures with its employees to help limit the usage of vehicles.

“Through the efficiency review, we’ve talked about everything from scheduling to vehicles going out so we aren’t having two vehicles out,” Masters said.

“At the end of the day, the city isn’t immune to the rising costs, nor is anyone who drives a vehicle and I’m sure it I’ll be a line item in the budget where it’s probably more significant than it has been in recent history.”

Masters mentioned the way the city can combat overages is by using its reserve fund.

“We do have a general reserve fund where if unforeseen items come up that are going to affect our budget, we can draw (on it),” she said.

“Clearly that’s not ideal, because from an operating perspective you want to be setting your budget and achieving your budget. Again, I don’t think anyone saw Russia invading Ukraine and driving the cost of gas (to the point) that it’s currently at.”

Masters said the city is also trying to improve public transit through its Master Transit Plan, as well as converting buses and some vehicles to electric.

While gas prices have risen, the city said ridership is still below pre-pandemic levels.

However, it does say ridership in the first week of May was at its highest level since the pandemic.