Committee members postpone Windsor’s west-end bus terminal relocation project

By Keerthana Veerapandian

Concerned residents of College Avenue and members of Transit Windsor joined Ward 2 Coun. Fabio Costante to fight against the relocation of a west end bus terminal.

The city’s Environment, Transportation and Public Safety Standing Committee gathered at City Hall on Feb. 20, 2019 to discuss further steps on relocation of the west end bus terminal. The committee recommends moving the bus terminal from College Avenue to Hotel Dieu-Grace Health Care on 1453 Prince Rd.

Reason for choosing the Location hotel dieu grace healthcare is almost 1100 patients annually visit the hospital and traffic is also increased #JRNC613 #yqgtraffic

— Keerthana Veerapandian (@Kina84856809) February 20, 2019

Committee members in favour say the proposed relocation site has several advantages including a 3,000 square foot waiting area with a cafe and lunch space that could serve hospital staff, patients and visitors.  The new terminal is expected to cost $1.6 million and will be installed with security cameras for public safety.

Although the relocation project has new facilities and benefits for the Prince Road neighborhood, Costante is concerned about its downside and fought against the relocation, saying it’s not good for transit users.

“I strongly believe in an accessible transit and the greatest percentage of transit users live in Sandwich Town. That’s where the terminal’s located currently. That’s where, in my view, it should continue to be located,” Costante said.

A new group called Transit Windsor Watch said the people who live near the current terminal need buses more and use them more than the people on Prince Road.

According to Joey Wright, member of Windsor Transit Watch, most of the traffic is from University of Windsor students who constantly rely on buses.

“We’re here to advocate and push for deferral on the motion to relocate the College Avenue terminal to the Prince Road location until the transit master plan review has been completed.”

"Wait until the review is completed" says Joey Wright, member of windsor transit #JRNC613 #yqgtraffic #CityCouncil pic.twitter.com/DxrbJrlFuI

— Keerthana Veerapandian (@Kina84856809) February 21, 2019

Member of Windsor transit ward 2 Joey Wright says "Wait until the review of relocation is completed, gives some time before coming to a conclusion" #YQG #citywindsor #CityCouncil #yqg_transit #JRNC613 pic.twitter.com/MKqj6UVpUc

— Keerthana Veerapandian (@Kina84856809) February 20, 2019

He also said the population density on College Avenue is twice that of size of Prince Road.

A recent survey done by the group says the average household income in College Avenue is less compared to the proposed location and there is more unemployment. The group fears those who are dependent on transit are afraid of losing the current frequency of buses.

Population density in college ave is as double as the proposed location and more college and University students rely on transit services says resident of college ave west end. #JRNC613 #windsor_transit #CityCouncil

— Keerthana Veerapandian (@Kina84856809) February 20, 2019

“What is more important is that transit users have a more accessible terminal and it’s not prudent to approve a terminal relocation before the review is completed,” said Wright.

The plan would move the terminal “from a have-not neighbourhood to a have neighbourhood,” said Tamara Murray, a resident who works for the neighbourhood group Our West End. “We need to target these areas with more resources, not take them away. This is going to have a big impact on the neighbourhood.”

Mary Ann Cuderman, one of the five delegates from the community also asked the standing committee to at least hold off until the transit review was completed.

“There are pockets of the city that need this service more than others,” said resident Mary Ann Cuderman. “That’s the heart of the matter for me.  Is this serving the needs of the transit system or what people really need?”

Coun. Gary Kaschak is concerned about the cost of the new terminal, saying it’s not necessary and a 3,000-square-foot building would be “much bigger” than what’s needed, but Coun. Fred Francis feels increased ridership will get back the investment.

“Moving the transit terminal to Prince Road which has a 100 buses moving in and out will affect the Hotel Dieu Grace Health Care and the parking area will be congested,” Said Costante.

The committee voted to recommend the deferral and to ask staff to report on the cost of maintaining the terminal on College Avenue.

Costante said he appreciates the recommendations of the administration, but added there is conflict in this case between what is good for transit and what is good for the community.

“Even if it may be better for the transit system, it may not be the best solution for the community as a whole.”

Thankful to my Council colleagues who supported my motion to reconsider the proposed west-end transit terminal move. https://t.co/nRC7e1l66J

— Fabio Costante (@FabioCostante) February 21, 2019

Though the committee has recommended the item be deferred, Costante explained the motion still needs to go to city council for final approval and next steps.

"No intention of removing transit service, only the terminal" says the delegates at the city council meeting on relocation of west transit terminal. #JRNC613 #citycouncil #relocation pic.twitter.com/kUX8WIwtLm

— Keerthana Veerapandian (@Kina84856809) February 21, 2019

Facilities that will be included in the new Location of transit terminal will be 3000 sq.ft waiting area, lunch room with security. #JRNC613 #windsor_transit pic.twitter.com/jNL7LCMuBD

— Keerthana Veerapandian (@Kina84856809) February 21, 2019

Speaker Brenda Clarke was given a reminder to wrap up the presentation by 5 minutes as her presentation exceeded the time limit#YQG #JRNC613 #CityCouncil https://t.co/RbpsmxNATr

— Keerthana Veerapandian (@Kina84856809) February 20, 2019

More family with children reside in the college ave rely on transit services says resident and community coordinator of west end #JRNC613 #CityCouncil #transit_relocation pic.twitter.com/QfHrNQcZQn

— Keerthana Veerapandian (@Kina84856809) February 20, 2019

One of the speaker Mary Ann Cuderman raises concern against the relocation to the delegates#citywindsor #CityCouncil #yqg #JRNC613 pic.twitter.com/KvYJqN5fqG

— Keerthana Veerapandian (@Kina84856809) February 20, 2019

Environment, Transportation & Public Safety Standing Committee is discussing on the relocation of west end transit terminal to Hotel Dieu a grace healthcare on prince road #JRNC613 #yqgtransport pic.twitter.com/XRblnmFR3L

— Keerthana Veerapandian (@Kina84856809) February 20, 2019

The Environment, Transportation & Public Safety Standing Committee Meeting has just started at the city hall. #JRNC613 pic.twitter.com/Xna7e4g5lm

— Keerthana Veerapandian (@Kina84856809) February 20, 2019