Dear editor,
I am appalled by the lack of bus shelters in the City of Courtenay.
I am dependent on the bus service for transportation, and I dread when the weather in Courtenay is windy and rainy (which happens quite regularly, especially during the fall and winter months!) because I often get drenched and cold waiting for the bus!
By the way, I usually always wear a good raincoat and carry an umbrella, but some days it doesn’t seem to help!
One stormy, rainy day, I took the bus to Comox to do some errands, and I had to wait for the bus about 15 minutes. I was waiting at the bus shelter opposite the hospital on Comox Avenue. The wind was howling and the rain pelting down.
But I was fairly comfortable, protected by the Plexiglas from the wind and rain. I had a small bench to sit on, and I was able to read my book. I was totally dry.
Then I had some errands to do in Courtenay. I was waiting for the bus at the Driftwood Mall (which is a major transfer place). There was no bus shelter except for a wet bench. I was there for less than five minutes. I was totally wet, cold and uncomfortable!
I ask myself, why does Comox seem to care about their bus patrons and Courtenay doesn’t?
Some people say it’s because of the vandalism of some of the bus shelters. I don’t buy that excuse. That is a separate issue altogether.
Some people say it’s because of lack of money and the budget cuts of city council.
Again I don’t buy that, for building unheated bus shelters is relatively cheap.
I read in the paper that City Hall is getting a facelift in the near future. I’m sure the money to do that would provide hundreds of bus shelters.
There should at least be bus shelters at the main terminal downtown, at the main terminal at Driftwood Mall, and at Back Road and Centennial.
I believe the real reason why there are very few bus shelters in Courtenay is apathy, and city council members have never taken a bus in Courtenay in the rainy weather.
There are many elderly people, parents with small children, people with both physical and mental disabilities, students and regular people like myself using the bus service. B. Geddes,
Courtenay