Editor:
Re: Transit tax is a tough sell, Jan. 28
Vicki Huntington is right in saying there's not much for Delta in the proposed transit tax.
Not much has changed in that regard. Delta commuters have always been pawns in others grand plans. For years Delta buses were mired in traffic heading into town in the mornings, and home through the tunnel in the afternoon.
Extended HOV lanes would have solved the problem, but weren't built until they enhanced the case for the Canada Line that Richmond and Vancouver wanted so dearly.
Now the lanes are in place and work well ... except when they're needed most. When traffic is at its heaviest, like when a fatal truck accident closed Highway 99 last week, the lanes become blocked and are rendered all but useless.
Perhaps that's what Delta should ask for, simply a protocol that ensures existing transit is always viable. That would have worked during the truck accident.
Although the George Massy Tunnel wasn't blocked, police diverted all traffic over the Alex Fraser Bridge. Having contingencies in place where buses were let through in that and other like situations would not only save those already on board a nightmare commute, but many others would leave their cars home and take the bus in emergency situations, lessening the backlogs and headaches for commuters and emergency personnel alike. Come to think of it, you wouldn't even need a tax to achieve that.
David Magowan
601 driver
