Editor:
The Gibsons bus route has just been changed to bypass the municipal buildings and Coast Health. There has always been a stop at South Fletcher and Winn near the library. Instead, the new route turns onto Gower Point Road, passing the tennis court and Kinhut. Far more residents live in the upper area near South Fletcher.
I received a reply from Brian Sagman from transit explaining this drastic action: "Unfortunately the recent installation of planters and speed bumps, by the Town of Gibsons, has necessitated this change. We have had a bus hit one of the planters and have observed that buses can no longer safely maneuver along that street."
The old stop provided easy access to government services and the library. The closest stop is now Winegarden Park, requiring a long climb up cement steps to reach the buildings or an uphill circuitous trek using sidewalks. The farther, but perhaps easier walk, is from the stop near the Kinhut. This is a great disservice to the elderly, to those who are mobility challenged, or who travel with young children. It hardly encourages people to use public transportation.
Council needs to re-examine the desirability of high speed bumps between Gower Point and Winn, and remove those large abutting structures that have substantially narrowed the road. If transit considers the route dangerous, it's unsafe for other traffic. We need the bus to access the library and other government services, within reasonable walking distance for the typical population.
Maureen Goldman
Gibsons
