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

Keerthana Veerapandian
By Keerthana Veerapandian March 3, 2019 17:13

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.

West-end Transit terminal at College Avenue
Photo by Keerthana Veerapandian

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.”

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.

“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.”

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.

Keerthana Veerapandian
By Keerthana Veerapandian March 3, 2019 17:13
TAGS: Transit WindsorYGQ

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