Dear Editor:
In her Mayors’ Message advertisement published in the North Shore News on Feb. 27, West Vancouver Mayor Mary-Ann Booth said I played a prominent role in including the B-Line in the Mayors’ Transit Plan.
It is true that I supported the multi-billion dollar plan to improve transit in our growing Metro region. This plan included improvements in bus service on many routes in West Vancouver as well as a new east-west service from Dundarave through to the Second Narrows Bridge.
What is not true is that I in any way supported closing traffic lanes through our commercial district as part of this plan. In the seven years I was on the Mayors’ Council this was never proposed or even discussed and it would have been well known that I would never support it.
The current situation is unfortunate and unnecessary. The lane closures should have been rejected at the outset. The debate is not about supporting transit but about using common sense in resolving issues like this. Buses should first be put on this proposed route to determine ridership and left turns need to be restricted in Ambleside unless there is a dedicated lane.
This would achieve the goal of moving buses and cars more efficiently through this area including the majority of our bus riders who travel to downtown Vancouver.
Michael Smith
West Vancouver
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