Seniors living in Granite Manor bring an issue to the Committee Of The Whole (COW), Sep. 30, which drives home several points. Among them: seniors haven't been part of this Whole, and Councilor Macdonald - she of the Regional Transit Committee having helped fashion the BC Transit area-redo - what with seemingly strategizing mayoral ambitions has blown it big-time oops!
And so expressed by several of these seniors in the hallway, after their presentation.
The Issue
As part of refashioning, the bus-stop at/for Granite Manor was cancelled unannounced to them - after this bus-service of many years. A big one for most tenants of the Manor - many in their 80s, 90s: used to moving about freely and independently - many with and in spite of particular age-related issues. Getting out and anywhere for any reason! Theirs! Just like Donna Macdonald - but without a car. Which one elderly tenant gave up because of the bus-stop there and that getting her about sufficiently.
Different bus-lines - including Handy Dart - and other modes of transportation are not an option: suddenly curtailing their autonomy and expensive.
and communicating it
So they present a petition with 157 signatures to Council, and several make a clear and convincing case. Even suggesting an alternative stop at the Morgan St. stop-sign.
to Council
Who go into warm-fuzzy clucking-mode, and Councilor Macdonald explains that routes will not be changed again for at least a year, so that those behind it all can find out what works and doesn't. A year! Right! Those behind it all led by a new guy - new in this particular position but oh no not in this kind of work he is very experienced. So what (she and) the Transit folk could possibly look at is a Dart subscription-service on specific (not all!) days at specific (not all!) times: with these residents signing-up in certain slots (what about more demand than seats and lining-up and dignity?). Macdonald thinks this a helpful idea because it allows subscribers to arrange their doctor's appointments and stuff around subscription-days and subscription-times. Won't their doctors and other contacts just love that!
and (very soon also) old Macdonald
She clearly is not yet cognizant of seniors' needs - particularly that of having to retain autonomy as long as possible: the motivating, energizing factor. Neither was she paying attention to bus-users in the local redo. Ring a bell? Just the big picture please - hold the small stuff!
But now she promises these seniors (tax-payers and soon voters oops again hadn't thought of that!): the new Transit guy will be in town and go talk to them. Specifically.
KICK BUTT NOW!!!
Image: Simon Cook
In recent years, this is the switcheroo that governments have been getting away with (and that which the lackluster populace has swallowed): the idea that services are liabilities and a hindrance to everyone, and should be either eliminated or converted into money-making ventures. Funny though, no one complains too loudly about road repair - that's a given expense. Or sewage.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the city website, they only spend just under $270K per/year on buses. That is less than 1% of the city budget. You'd think there would be some wiggle room for them to accommodate to VERY important issue of public transit. Especially in times like this... F around!!!