Editor:
Re: Route changes make SDSS students secondary, letter to the editor, Sept. 16
I sympathize with the parents of the Ladner students who must now bus to South Delta Secondary for the French immersion program. However, it seems that TransLink also needs to service Boundary Bay residents with an additional bus in the mornings and also accommodate increased residents living on or near 12th Avenue.
I wonder what will happen when the Tsawwassen Mills opens? Will there be space for any South Delta residents on the 601? I guess we will find out on Oct. 5.
In the meantime, one would hope that SDSS staff would accommodate those students who arrive either a few minutes late or arrive flustered from a long morning walk. TransLink will not make concessions as it has a tight budget and voters (myself included) voted no to an increase in sales tax for improved service. TransLink claims South Delta routes currently have one of the highest per capita costs for ridership.
When Southlands gets developed (with perhaps another 2,000 residents in the community), and when the Town Centre Mall is revitalized with a high-rise and with another housing development likely occurring on land currently owned by Beach Grove Golf Club, I wonder what TransLink will do to accommodate new arrivals.
Congestion from vehicles on 56th Street is crazy at the moment, especially with the addition of tandem trucks carrying fill (isn’t this is a pretty sight?). However, unless buses are frequent and places to board and get off are convenient, many will continue to or start to drive. It’s a vicious circle and one that I cannot see getting better.
Jean Wightman
