To the editor,
Re: Bus loop decision dulls enthusiasm to participate in democratic process, Oct. 11.
There has been much discussion regarding the city of Nanaimo’s decision to place a bus exchange along Terminal Avenue. There is also much derision for this exchange. However, if you believe, as I do, that our city should prioritize fiscal responsibility, economic prosperity, the environment, our downtown, or all the above, you should be supportive of this exchange. An exchange allowing fast transfers could benefit the thousands of car-less students, newcomers, and workers who call Nanaimo home.
Yes, there are concerns regarding unhoused people using these facilities, but such concerns do not address the issue of unhoused people as a whole. Preventing abuse exchange will not solve or prevent these already-present issues.
I would like to see our city investing in itself to make our community a more livable and productive place. This exchange is one of many ways that can be done. Letters have been written claiming to represent the majority opinion on this exchange. However, do those letters speak for the thousands of newcomers who can’t purchase a car? In 2019-20 B.C. Transit reported that the system provided 130,000 hours of service and carried 3.5 million passengers. Think of that number, 3.5 million. When reading about people speaking out against this exchange, we, as community members, should ask ourselves, do these people speak for the residents who took those 3.5 million trips?
L.A. James, Nanaimo
READ ALSO: Funding in place for $15-million bus exchange on Nanaimo’s Terminal Avenue
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