A study into Saturday and late-evening bus service has been requested by Fort Saskatchewan City Council.

The study report, expected by spring, will consider the operating and capital costs of such a service as well as estimating how soon such service can start.

"Late evening and weekend service is essential to many of our residents," City Councillor Lisa Makin explained when introducing the request Tuesday, Jan. 14. "Our transit will never see growth unless its available to more people," she added.

Council gave unanimous support to the request, but several members expressed concern about actually providing the service.

Councillor Brian Kelly said adding more transit service will only cost taxpayers more. "I very much doubt that they make economic sense."

Other members of Council were more positive.

Saturday service may be particularly popular, according to Councillor Gordon Harris. He questioned the value of local bus service after 8 p.m., however.

Mayor Gale Katchur also supported Saturday service. "I also believe Saturday service is really warranted," she said.

"There are  lot of people that work on Saturdays," she added. "I am all for looking at how we move forward so that we can really serve the people that need to be served."

The study, which will look only at local bus service, is to be completed by the end of the first quarter of this year.

The City of Fort Saskatchewan currently spends about $1.2 million annually on transit service. About half pays for local bus service and the other half pays for commuter service to Sherwood Park.