The transit issue in Squamish heated up the Adventure Centre during the Compute the Commute event on Sunday (April 15).
The event drew representatives from Translink, B.C. Transit and RideShare, as well as a seniors advocate group, an electrical bike company and a ferry vessel proponent.
Despite the motley crew's many differences, the feeling amongst them was unanimous - the transit situation in Squamish needs to improve.
"We need to think more broadly," said Maurice Freitag, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) Area D director. "How can we integrate these services regionally? But I think there's a real opportunity for increased dialogue among local governments with this issue."
Johann Van Saik, the regional transit manager of the south coast, said he attended the event to learn of locals' concerns and shared that Squamish is in B.C. Transit's long-term plans.
"I'm here primarily to make connections," he said. "I've learned a lot of things talking to people today and I think we can improve transportation for residents in Squamish. We're undergoing a survey that will be completed by 2014 for this area and the Sea to Sky Corridor has been earmarked as part of our long-term 25 year transit plan."
Translink planner Matt Craig shared his group's plans for increased service on the North Shore and said the logical next step is extending it to the Sea to Sky Corridor.
"We're looking at creating a transit network on the North Shore and we have a long term vision for that network," he said. "Over the next 30 years we want to see a connection to the Sea to Sky Corridor. Today I've been figuring out the how, what and where of putting this all together."
Former council candidate Rob Weys, who manned a booth of his own at the event, expressed frustration about the progress of transit in Squamish.
"We shouldn't be on a 25 year plan," he said. "I'm not sure why it couldn't be done in five years. People have been dragging their feet on this issue."
Coun. Susan Chapelle said the current council has made transit the number two priority but that Squamish should look at several different options for the issue.
"We need partnerships with groups like RideShare and other websites," she said. "The biggest priority is accessibility."
After being asked a question from a local about Translink working with B.C Transit in Squamish, Craig said it wouldn't be out of the question.
"There would be some obstacles but it could be manageable," he said, noting that Translink runs the West Coast Express service that runs outside of their region. "It wouldn't be the first time we've looked at something outside of our region."
"It's all about balancing local priorities," said Van Saik.
Local transportation advocate Murray Gamble summed up the current transit situation in Squamish.
"We don't have a transit culture in the corridor," he said. "It seems there is a lot of frustration and fatigue towards transit locally."
Ruth Simons of the Sea to Sky Clean Air Society, who put on the event, said the group was pleased with how the day turned out.
"I thought it was a really great engagement," she said, noting the event drew about 50 people. "All of our guests were really into the discussion and it turned out well."
Simons said she will be consolidating all of the information to put on the group's website, and will present the findings to council.
For more information on the Sea to Sky Clean Air Society, visit www.seatoskyairquality.ca.
