Opponent claims 'invisible' riders
Oct 16, 2008 - 02:41 PM
By Keith Gilligan
AJAX -- Route 222 will continue to run accordingly to Hoile.
Durham Region Transit executive committee on Wednesday voted to keep Route 222 as it is, with a loop down Hoile Drive during the morning and afternoon rush hours.
Wayne and Sandra Cassidy had petitioned to have the route changed so buses wouldn't be travelling down Hoile and by their house. They opposed the bus because of noise, odours and the potential safety hazard of having the vehicles travelling down the narrow street.
Several residents opposed the move, however, saying the walk to get to the bus would be too long and inconvenient, especially in the winter.
Ted Galinis, general manager of the DRT, said in an interview the issue is now finished.
"TEC (the transit executive committee) has the authority of the commission. It's dealt with now," Mr. Galinis said. "Our report, we said we can't support the justification for the removal."
The service on Hoile began in July of 2006 and opponents have been trying since then to have the bus removed, a staff report to the committee noted.
The Hoile route, which only runs in the morning and afternoon rush hours, "is carrying 23 passengers a day on the loop," Mr. Galinis said.
"There has been a slight drop in ridership consistent with the summer seasonal decline, however, in total the route is exceeding the service standard for a local route," the staff report stated, noting that applies to the whole route and not just the Hoile loop.
The route "is a good performer and boardings on the Hoile loop during seasonal peak months exceed the service standards," the report added.
Ensuring there's a bus stop in urban areas within 400 metres is "the absolute maximum," he said, adding the target is trying for stops within 200 metres.
The distance from the corner of Audley Road and Ashbury Boulevard and the southern end of the loop is 560 metres.
It was a positive that "a number of grassroots customers came out. We're hearing people speaking about the carbon footprint," he said.
John Fisico supported the Cassidys' request. "It's a slam dunk. I'd rather have more peacefulness than convenience," he said.
Wayne Cassidy questioned the number of passengers riding on the bus each day, saying, "I'm there every day at 5:30 and I'm not seeing anyone get on the bus."
The riders, he said, "must be wearing 'invisible cloaks'."
-- with files from the Torstar news service
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