Dear editor:
I attended the community consultation meeting on the B-Line Thursday evening. It was very well moderated and heckling was not allowed. Disappointing to think that was even a requirement! However there was significant evidence of hostility and I certainly felt intimidated to speak. I have no doubt others felt the same way.
One gentleman stood up to present the case that seeking a middle ground should be an option. I certainly agree. Would it not be possible to give the proposed B-Line a try? Would it not be withdrawn by TransLink if it were a failure? It may take time to become established (however the Canada Line was an immediate success). We should be providing for the future and planning for long term community benefit.
I would like to suggest that taking a B-Line from a stop west of Park Royal to Lonsdale Quay and a SeaBus to Vancouver would be a viable option to getting downtown. Similarly for travelling to the airport. In addition, it provides a third crossing to downtown especially when there has been an accident on the Lions Gate Bridge.
There are also benefits for Vancouver residents and tourists coming off cruise ships to travel on the SeaBus and B-Line to West Vancouver. Ambleside and Dundarave merchants would benefit from the increased traffic. Other B-Lines are known to have contributed to increased retail visits.
I hope a middle ground can be considered - the "take it all" or "leave it all" approach is not constructive. West Vancouver residents should be focusing on future transit options.
I do not feel that TransLink and our council should be considered villains in this debate.
Mary Gamel
West Vancouver
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