Metro councillors have decided the corporation's in-the-red transit system might make some money if it can get exclusive rights for bus service to Bird's Hill Provincial Park.

Although they think it will be some time before the operation will be financially lucrative, streets and transit committee Wednesday recommended asking the provincial government for bus rights.

"This service will have to be nursed along for a while," a report from transit director D. I. MacDonald notes. "But it has a substantial potential for the future and would be of great benefit to those residents of the Metro area who do not have other means of transportation and who, perhaps, would not otherwise be able to take advantage of the new park."

Mr. MacDonald's report suggests Metro could provide service this summer, for Saturday and Sunday. Fares suggested are 75 cents one-way for adults and 50 cents for children. The corporation is also asking for exclusive charter rights.

The only councillor to express any reservations was Thomas Findlay: "For the first time in 10 years, we have the province over a barrel and no one wants to keep them there."

Mr. Findlay suggested the province should take care of any deficit the service encounters, with Metro picking up any profits.