Dear Editor:
I just found out that TransLink is reducing 246 Highland bus service after 7 p.m. to once an hour as of June 20. This means if we come back from Vancouver on the SeaBus in the evening, we could end up waiting up to half an hour on each side of the water, totalling up to an hour.
Those who can take their cars into Vancouver or who can afford taxis will probably just not use the bus anymore -- but what about people who depend on public transit? We have a choice between wasting up to an hour waiting around for transportation home, or giving up our cultural, social and work opportunities in Vancouver if they involve coming home after 7 p.m. It has already been hard enough to get back with the SeaBus running only twice an hour in the evening. At least we knew there would be a connecting bus waiting at Lonsdale Quay, but now we won't even have that unless we are able to time all our activities to fit with that once-an-hour bus. People needing to travel around the North Shore after 7 p.m. will also be affected.
Reducing service doesn't really save TransLink money in the long run, because with each service reduction more and more people get fed up with public transit and switch to using their cars. For example, I'm sure a lot more people would leave their cars at home and use transit if the SeaBus were to run every 15 minutes through the evening.
I encourage all Highland 246 riders to complain to TransLink about this new reduction in evening service. If we don't complain, they won't know how we feel. Let's not take it lying down.
Call 604-953-3333 (TransLink Customer Service) or 604-953-3040 (TransLink Feedback) or use the feedback form on their website.
Miriam Eguchi
North Vancouver
