Proposed extended city transit met with mixed feelings

By Alexandra Latremouille

 

Not all residents of Windsor and Essex County have demonstrated a desire for a regional transit system, according to Amherstburg’s mayor.

The service is expected to expand east to Tecumseh and Lakeshore and west to Lasalle and Amherstburg. Although it will be available to everyone, Amherstburg’s Mayor Aldo DiCarlo said he believes certain demographics will benefit more than others.

“From what I’ve heard, opinions about it are mixed,” said DiCarlo. “The people who I imagine would benefit from it are students, seniors and people who live in the county, but who don’t have their own car.”

Transit Windsor services about six million riders annually, about half of whom are students and seniors. This is partly because these people are able to get concession fares, allowing them to pay less for their passes. Nothing has been mentioned about the expanded system cancelling this service.

Regardless of how popular the current bus service might be with some demographics, not everyone feels an expanded one is in high demand. Enrico DeCecco, the junior planner for the Town of Tecumseh, said he does not believe enough people in the county will use it.

“It’s always good to have transit, but it needs to be feasible, cost-effective and it needs to service a large amount of people,” said DeCecco. “I think that might be an issue. You don’t want to have a bus drive a half-hour out into the county to pick up three people. There needs to be the demand, right?”

DeCecco also said no one from Tecumseh has approached him or town council demanding the system be expanded. This is primarily because Tecumseh already has an independent bus system, which services about 30,000 people annually.

In spite of this, one Tecumseh resident said she thinks the town would be benefit from a regional transit system.

“I think [Transit Windsor expanding into Tecumseh] is a fantastic idea,” said Sarah Wilder, a local stay-at-home mom. “If I was given a list, I could tell you what I feel is important in our community. Speaking singularly for this issue, I think it’s a good thing for a movement between the two communities.”

Regarding how the new system might be developed and financed, both DiCarlo and DeCecco said nothing has been formally discussed.

According to DiCarlo, the movement is still in its infancy and is mainly being driven by Windsor Councillor Bill Marra who has not finalized any details.