EDITOR,
We face imminent loss of the B.C. Transit-funded service between Squamish and Whistler. The buses carry commuters, shoppers and those seeking government and medical services in Squamish. Due to neglect, waste and a lack of active management, costs have reached such a level that municipal partners are backing out.
Now, I read that B.C. Transit is spending nearly $7 million to put electronic fare boxes on 700 buses. The equipment will collect only a very small amount of information and only from those with passes. No information will be collected from people paying cash or those using tickets.
The same amount of money would employ more than 150 people for one year, equip them with computers and give them an office to work out of. For longer term results, 30 people could be employed for five years.
Not only could these people collect information from passholders, they could talk to people using cash and tickets, too. They could ask what people like or dislike. They could ask about changes people would like to see.
They could even talk to people who don't use transit, to find out what changes might get them on the bus. They could make presentations to school, government and public service groups about the benefits of transit.
The service between Squamish and Whistler saw fares rise from $5 to $8 on Nov. 1. It faced possible termination on Dec. 31. Then it faced the possibility of reduced service for the first three months of 2011. For now, it is continuing with the regular service and the increased fares until the end of March. No one knows what to expect on April Fool's Day.
The increased fares and uncertainty of continued service have caused people to leave the bus in droves. By the end of January there may only be the driver and the electronic fare box. With recent developments in GPS and automation, they may be able to get rid of the driver too. Then there won't be any need for people on the bus at all.
For more information, to show your support and add your thoughts, visit Whistler Squamish Bus on Facebook.Murray GambleSquamish
