The final legislative pieces for the launch of the town's new transit system were approved at tonight's council meeting to establish fares, rider etiquette, restrictions and penalties.

COLTs are slated to be roaming the streets in a soft launch starting Oct. 7 that will offer free ridership until the end of 2019.

Starting Jan. 1, 2019, one-way adult single fares will be $2.50. Monthly passes will be $50 for adults, $30 for seniors (age 60 and over), $25 for youth ages 6 to 18 and post-secondary students with ID. Infants ages 5 and younger can ride free when accompanied by a paying rider. 

For added flexibility, books of 10 tickets will be offered for $20, amounting to a 20 per cent discount. There will also be low income passes provided on a sliding scale as assessed by Cochrane FCSS.

Minimum fines established for offences range from $150 for riding the bus without paying to $2,500 for interfering with the operation of a transit vehicle, applying graffiti to transit property or operating a transit vehicle.

What caught the eye of town councillor Susan Flowers was the $500 fine for littering. She was alarmed it exceed the fine for carrying a firearm ($300) and fighting on transit property ($200).

Town officials explained the fine for littering is high to act as a stern deterrent. 

Town transit coordinator Devin LaFleche provided an update on transit infrastructure timelines and the new app.

Bus stop poles and pads have been established and bus stop signs will start to appear the week of Sept. 23.

The town will soon be ramping up its prelaunch promotion that was kicked off by including one of the temporary buses in the Labour Day parade. The bus will be on tour during several public events, including this Thursday's Historic Downtown Market and the regular Saturday Cochrane Farmers' Market.

A booth will be established at the SLS Family Sports Centre later this month to assist people with the app. Also, a series of outreach events will be held with youth, seniors and community groups to teach residents how to use the service and its app.

While bus rides and payments can be made in advance via the app, cash will also be accepted by the bus driver.

The manufacturing of the five buses in the fleet has been delayed but the first is expected to arrive in October and the balance in January. In the meantime, the town will have three on loan from Calgary Transit and one from the bus manufacturer. None of these loaners will have bike ramps but the permanent fleet will.