Fewer people are taking the bus and that has one Vernon politician looking for answers. While there were 39,217 bus riders in March, that dropped to 32,894 in April and 24,232 in May. “I thought we were going to hit 40,000,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol during Monday’s council meeting. Nicol isn’t sure if the numbers reflect patrons adjusting to some major system changes including new hours of operation and a new transit terminus on 31st Avenue by Cenotaph Park. “It’s hard to know what actually happened,” he said, adding that a rash reaction to the figures isn’t needed. “We will have to look at things over the next few months.” On Monday, council received a letter from resident Erma Soderquist, who has concerns about relocation of the transit terminus from Coldstream Avenue to 31st Avenue by Cenotaph Park. “Where the terminal was located, you have a large population of seniors and people renting,” she said. “The majority of these people do not or cannot afford to own cars to run their errands. Now, with these changes, you’re obliged to walk down to Columbus Court hauling groceries.” Soderquist also believes relocation of the library has made access by transit challenging. “Getting to the old library was fairly easy. Catch bus #4, get off across the street, all level ground, and when going home, you didn’t even have to cross the street,” she said. “Now, it means a bus to the new terminal, then a four-block walk and when you finally get there, you are faced with an uphill slope. Vernon is not pedestrian friendly and for the handicapped, it is a nightmare.” Soderquist’s letter has been referred to the city’s accessibility committee for investigation. "We will look at transit routes and perhaps we can address some of the concerns,” said Coun. Juliette Cuningham.
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OUR VIEW: No clear transit trend yet
Vernon Morning Star Editorial Published: July 11, 2012 1:00 AMThe transit bubble appears to have burst. After months of steady growth — including 39,217 riders in March — use has slowed in Vernon. There were 32,894 riders in April and 24,232 in May. While the first instinct is to overreact and spread doom and gloom, the situation shouldn’t surprise anyone. After all, the transit terminal recently moved from its traditional spot on Coldstream Avenue to 31st Avenue next to Cenotaph Park. There is naturally going to be a transition as riders adjust to the new pick-up and drop-off downtown and their ability to get to work, go shopping or fulfill other commitments. Realistically, the move may mean some residents have to find other options to get around. Others, won’t be impacted at all. Besides the new terminal, some routes have been adjusted as have hours of service. Another factor impacting ridership is the relocation of Vernon’s library. A bus stop was located right in front of the old branch, making access extremely easy. Now, a bit of a walk is required before a transit user can get to the new library on 30th Avenue. The most responsible reaction from officials at this point is to review the April and May statistics but not make any rash decisions. Two months of ridership figures are not sufficient to establish a trend. Let’s see what happens over summer when people are looking to get to the beach or the movies, and then into fall when regular schedules for work and college resume. It could be that April and May were just a blip. But if ridership continues to lag for the rest of the year, officials will have sufficient date to make the changes necessary to reverse the trend.
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