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LETTER: As a former teacher in West Van, I would welcome B-Line route

Dear Editor: Re: Businesses Bristle at B-Line Plan; Bus Lane Would Ruin Ambleside, Merchants Say , Dec. 7 front-page story. In a recent article, Ambleside merchant Nigel Malkin rages against priority bus lanes for TransLink.
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Dear Editor:

Re: Businesses Bristle at B-Line Plan; Bus Lane Would Ruin Ambleside, Merchants Say, Dec. 7 front-page story.

In a recent article, Ambleside merchant Nigel Malkin rages against priority bus lanes for TransLink.

As a teacher who lives in Lynn Valley and who, for several years regularly took the bus to teach at a school in West Vancouver, I would greatly welcome a B-Line along Marine Drive.

When I was taking the bus, at least once a week I would be waiting in Dundarave for 40-45 minutes because all the traffic delays on Marine made the bus very late and several would all show up together. A dedicated B-Line lane would greatly improve that.

Contrary to Mr. Malkin’s belief that West Vancouver residents rarely take the bus, I can tell you that the bus was regularly full with standing room only. It is a misconception that West Van is full of rich people who would never be seen on a bus.

As someone who worked in the public school system there for seven years I can tell you there are a significant number of West Vancouver residents who do not have high incomes and who need reliable, efficient transit.

Also, as people age and can no longer drive, transit provides freedom of mobility, and West Vancouver is one of the oldest communities in the Lower Mainland.
I think giving up a measly 15 parking spots is a very fair exchange for serving the greater needs of all North Shore residents.

Joanne Gauthier
North Vancouver

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