Dear editor,
RE: Public transit in Comox Valley
I would be happy to pay more taxes for a more effective system.
I have two teenage children who primarily take the bus or cycle to Mark Isfeld school, we live in the Puntledge area. We do not qualify for the regular yellow bus service, because we are in the catchment area for Vanier. It requires two buses, and not very effective connection, takes 1 hour 45 min to get home from school. I do not drive my kids to school, because I do not believe it is an effective way to move bodies. We are a one car family, and I want to instil a sense of independence in my kids.
Sheila McDonnell, our SD 71 School Trustee, put an excellent idea into my head, years ago: Get rid of the yellow school bus service between all the different schools, and replace it with a monthly bus pass for all high school age children. This effectively will save us money, as the yellow bus service costs taxpayers plenty. Secondly, ridership would go up, so the transit system could be more effectively designing routes for this age category. Thirdly, we will be teaching our children how to use the public bus system, so that when they leave home to attend university, or work in the cities, they will use and understand the transit system right away. We need to teach our children how to be responsible adults, in a world where not everyone will be able to afford a vehicle.
By putting these two programs together, we might save money, boost transit ridership, and be able to create a system that everyone can benefit from.
This would mean effective service for far-reaching students such as Hornby Island or Miracle Beach students. If we are going to add services, then I would look at the whole system, and the people who use it.
Sarah Henckel-Sutmoller
Courtenay