A $63.4-million spending plan to operate the city in 2011 could spell some major changes for transit users, though they'll still be stuck finding another ride on Sundays.

In outlining and passing first reading on its operating budget for the year on Monday night, the city has proposed spending an additional $276,000 on the loop-based system it has been looking at in recent years.

That brings the total operation cost of the transit services up to nearly $3.2 million.

The system, proposed to begin on July 1, would be set up to run on a more consistent basis so that many users would no longer need to carry a schedule with them.

In some cases, for example, buses would arrive at a stop every hour, though some busier neighbourhoods like Riverdale, Porter Creek, Copper Ridge and downtown would see more frequent service.

The proposed system would also allow for routes that are found to be busier to be expanded without disrupting the rest of the system.

The service, however, would continue to run just six days a week, transit manager Dave Muir confirmed at a media briefing Monday afternoon.

Officials have considered adding Sunday to its transit schedule, and Muir acknowledged it could be important for some users.

He also noted, however, that most users take the bus to get to and from work or school through the week. The city operates on a reduced schedule on Saturdays, and Muir said it wasn't felt like now was the time to add an extra day to the schedule.

Instead, the transit department opted to focus on improving the current service it offers, and it's expected that will boost ridership by 30 per cent.

The changes were a major feature of deputy Mayor Dave Austin's budget address last night as he outlined where city taxpayers would see their dollars go.

"This year, the city has budgeted an initial contribution of $276,000 to completely revamp our community's transit system,” Austin said.

"This will result in improved routes, increased service and a better schedule to meet the needs of the travelling public.

The need for this new service has been highlighted to the city in our citizens' survey, our sustainability plan, our Official Community Plan, our parking management plan, through recommendations from our transit task force and through our 2010 consultations on transit.”

Residents were clear the city needs a better bus service.

Within its provisional budgets for 2012 and 2013, the city is anticipating spending another $483,000 each year on the improvements.

Along with revamping the regular bus service, the city is allocating another $23,000 to improve the Handy Bus service for those with disabilities unable to use the conventional system. There would be 650 extra hours of service a year if the budget is approved.

While a number of city departments are expected to see increases in staffing, transit isn't among them. Instead, staff will see more work hours each week to accommodate the changes.

The city's fire department could see three new staff positions, with $137,000 proposed to fund two new dispatch positions.

That would mean that rather than having volunteer firefighters stay back from a call to deal with dispatch, two new staffers would be dedicated to the role.

Another $75,000 would be spent on hiring a new firefighter.

"These additions to the city's firefighting strength will improve the response capabilities of our fire department by ensuring we have more boots on the ground in times of emergency,” Austin said.

"These investments are on top of new equipment allocated in our budget as well as the recent completion of the new Public Safety Building.”

The city is also planning to hire a number of other positions and increase the work hours for bylaw's meter attendant and animal pound attendant as the community continues to grow.

"With our population growing, the city has added $130,000 to this year's budget to cover the cost of expanding services such as road maintenance and snow-clearing to new development areas, including Ingram, Whistle Bend, Icy Waters and Metropolit Lane,” said Austin.

Outlining the role each department plays in the city's operations, Austin said the budget has been created to not only maintain the programs and services offered, but improve on them.

"As we move forward with the guidance of our Official Community Plan, our sustainability plan, our strategic plan and budgets that are consistently balanced, the city will strive to ensure that all of our citizens continue to enjoy a healthy return on their tax investment,” Austin said as he concluded the 22-minute, seven-page speech.

"We enjoy some of the best facilities, programs and services of any community our size in Canada, and it is the intention of the City of Whitehorse through this balanced budget to keep it this way.”

Coun. Doug Graham was the lone vote against first reading of the operating budget, taking issue with the proposed four per cent property tax hike and money that's coming out of reserves.

Mayor Bev Buckway, a board member with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, was away from last night's meeting attending FCM meetings in Halifax.

After a public input session and report to council on that, it's expected second and third readings of the operating budget will come forward on March 28.

With the capital budget approved earlier this year, the city is anticipating spending a total of $84.4 million in 2011.