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I have been following the ongoing series of opinions that various residents have expressed over the transit debate ongoing within city council.
I think it is important to point out that the overwhelming majority of Orillians live in single-family dwellings with access to independent transportation, myself included. As I continue to read these articles and letters commenting on the need to “trim the fat,” so to speak, in the transportation budget, I can’t help but think to myself that it is becoming an echo chamber from people who don’t even utilize these services.
There is no doubt that ridership in Orillia Transit is low. We all see the buses riding empty. This, however, is not cause for a reduction in budget.
Questions should be raised on the effectiveness of routes and day-to-day management of the transit system. For example, we have a growing student population that needs access to our community. A quick check yielded that to get from the south end of our city to the nearest County of Simcoe bus to Barrie will take over an hour and two bus transfers just to board a direct bus to Barrie. I find this asinine and it is no wonder that people choose to find alternative transportation methods.
It is for this reason that changes are needed at Orillia Transit, but budget cuts are definitely not one of them. I urge Mayor McIsaac and the rest of council to spend a day on the buses and hear from the people who actually utilize these services before rendering judgment on this issue.
W. McParland
Orillia
