Open letter to City of Richmond mayor and council,
Re: “City seeks solution for bus loop fears,” News, May 20.
After reading the Richmond News article of May 20, I am curious as to the role of parked buses at Second Avenue and Chatham had on the accident which occurred at Fourth Avenue and Chatham.
I did not witness the accident, arriving home as the stretcher was brought out to the injured motorcyclist, so I have no idea what happened.
As for the large number of buses parked at the “terminal” at Second and Chatham, the most I have ever seen has been four at peak service times. A similar “terminal” exists mid-block at Denman and Davie in Downtown Vancouver.
I do not feel that the buses pose any more of a visibility problem than a number of SUVs, family vans or trucks parked along Chatham.
Living at the corner of Fourth and Chatham, I can’t keep track of the number of near accidents that I’ve seen at this corner.
On many occasions I have seen drivers turn north on Fourth, only to make an immediate U-turn to head back east on Chatham.
In one instance, the U-turn driver didn’t stop for the stop sign at all, immediately pulling out east on Chatham cutting off a west-bound driver, who was able to screech to a stop, missing the first car, which sped away.
And how many cars have I seen turn in front of a 407 or 410 bus (“beat the bus”?) to head north on Fourth at this corner?
Crosswalk? Watch out here.
I will not mention those who park near my driveway entrance, severely blocking my visibility. These vehicles prevent me from seeing cars (the buses I can see — they are tall) approaching from the east.
I am unable to see how these behaviours are caused by TransLink buses.
Solution: Install crossing barriers on both sides of Chatham on the east side of Second Avenue. Crossing between the buses can be controlled by in the same manner as it is on No. 3 Road by the Canada Line Station with barriers in the middle of the road.
Dealing only with where the buses terminate will do nothing to prevent what goes on at this intersection.
The results of the investigation into the accident should hopefully provide information as to what happened, as well as what steps could be taken to prevent further mishaps.
As the accident took place two blocks west of the “bus terminal,” I have difficulty understanding how adjusting bus schedules, bus routes or a relocated “terminal” would have prevented this or any other unfortunate event of the same type.
E. E. Straforelli
Richmond
