Dear editor,
I am writing to inform you about my unpleasant experiences with the transit buses in central Richmond, more specifically the 407 Gilbert bus.
I, as a student of Steveston London Secondary, take the bus to school every morning, along with other students. The 407 bus is the one and only way for my peers and I to get to school every morning. Those who ride the bus know that it is awfully crowded in the morning, and it would be considered a “lucky day” if you can get a seat if you get on the bus after the Brighouse skytrain station. Some people even miss getting off at their stops because they can’t squeeze through the line of students.
This situation is even worse in the afternoon, when even more students take the bus home. One time, the bus driver did not even stop at the bus stop in front of the school. Many students are not able to get on the bus after school because it is so full and the bus driver has to constantly tell everyone to “Move to the back, move to the back.”
Even when there is plenty of space at the back, sometimes the bus driver decides to close the door on the students and not allow anymore to get on. Plenty of students have a tutor or even work after school, so missing a bus and having to wait another half hour can cost precious time, let alone that the waiting is absolutely dreadful.
All I’m asking for TransLink to do is either: one, make the buses longer, like the ones they have in Vancouver or, two, make the waiting times between each bus shorter, about 10-15 minutes. I hope the people in authority will give some thought to this issue.
Jennifer Yin
Richmond
