As it currently stands, the City of St. John’s can weather the financial hit of rising fuel and other prices on public transit without reducing services or increasing fares.

Metrobus vice-president Ron Ellsworth says staff on Messenger Drive keep a close eye on the $25-million budget for transit services with monthly reviews, and he’s confident of being able to stand pat provided the current upheaval in the fuel market is short-lived.

Deputy Mayor Ellsworth, who’s also the lead on finance at City Hall, says if it becomes a 12-month $2.50-litre process, then they would have to look at changing some of their expenses.

“I don’t see service levels at Metrobus being impacted at all in the near future,” says Ellsworth.